The 2025 legislative session in Wyoming begins today. Representative Robert Davis has already announced his plans to bring back a bill to legalize online casinos in Wyoming in 2025.
Last year, Davis introduced House Bill 0120 (HB0120), which aimed to allow iGaming in Wyoming but didn't pass. It called for “An act relating to gaming; authorizing interactive gaming; providing for regulation by the Wyoming Gaming Commission; imposing fees; providing for the collection and distribution of revenues from interactive gaming; providing for a continuous appropriation; requiring rulemaking; providing penalties; and providing for effective dates,” according to the text of the bill.”
Some tribal gaming leaders in the state have concerns about iGaming. However, HB0120 included ways for Wyoming tribal operators to join internet casinos.
Even though it didn't pass, this could help lawmakers and tribal leaders work together to create a bill everyone supports this year.
Wyoming Hoping To Join Short List of Legal Online Casino States
In the past, Wyoming has always rejected online casino bills, so online casinos remain illegal in the state.
Currently, just seven states allow internet casinos. They include:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
However, recent studies highlight the benefits of bringing online casinos to Wyoming, prompting lawmakers to reconsider. Representative Davis is leading the push to reintroduce the bill, arguing that online casinos would benefit Wyoming without harming other gaming sectors.
What a Wyoming Online Casino Bill Could Mean
A study by the Wyoming Gaming Commission and Spectrum Gaming Group, a leading consulting firm in the gaming industry, found that legalizing online casinos in Wyoming could bring significant benefits.
Spectrum estimates that the total addressable market for Wyoming HHR games, based on gross gaming revenue, is $408.8 million, as shown in the chart below. A significant portion of this potential market comes from out-of-state residents, mainly from Colorado and Utah.
They predict that in the first year, legal online casinos would generate $93 to $138 million in revenue. This could result in up to $30 million in state taxes, which could fund projects benefiting Wyoming's population of over 500,000. These figures exclude additional revenue from strategies like selling gaming licenses.
The study’s authors estimate that by the fifth year, revenue could nearly double to $162 to $199 million. The researchers also believe that online casino revenue would not harm Wyoming's physical casinos or other gaming segments.
Recent Attempt To Legalize Failed in Close Vote
In the most recent vote, 25 representatives supported the bill while 36 opposed it.
Since the bill only needed a majority to pass, it missed approval by just a few votes. Representative Davis is confident that recent research will help win those votes when he presents the bill again in 2025.
Wyoming tribes have land-based sports betting locations but do not offer online services. Independent sports betting operators who cater to online needs are mandated to geofence their service from tribal territories. However Davis wants online casinos to have more freedom because he thinks they cater to two different types of people.
He also thinks the successful legalization in states like Connecticut and Delaware can serve as helpful examples for convincing voters.
The Future of Online Casinos in Wyoming
Could change be on the horizon? We'll see in 2025 whether Wyoming will legalize online casinos. Recent research and the trend in other states suggest a positive outlook for the Cowboy State.
With lawmakers back in session, we may soon learn if Wyoming is going to relax its stance. In 2023, they were able to file a sports betting bill during a short session in 2023 and get it past last year.
The current session ends March 6, 2025, which, if history is any indication, should give Davis enough time to refile the online casino bill.
