Wyoming’s online casino bill hits roadblock, postponed indefinitely

February 5, 2025

Wyoming’s online casino bill hits roadblock, postponed indefinitely

A bill to legalise online casino gaming in Wyoming has failed to receive support to move out of a House committee. Over two sessions, the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee discussed House Bill 162 (HB 162). Still, when Rep. Cathy Connelly moved a motion to advance the bill, no committee member supported it, following which Committee chair Andrew Byron declared the bill postponed indefinitely.

The setback does not officially kill the proposal. However, with the legislative session set to conclude on March 6 and a February 12 crossover deadline for bills to advance, the chances of revival appear slim.

Tribal concerns and opposition

House Bill 162, introduced by Rep. Robert Davis and co-sponsored by Reps. Landon Brown and J.T. Larson aimed to regulate online casino gaming under the Wyoming Gaming Commission. The bill would have allowed online gambling on tribal lands through a state gaming agreement, as Wyoming only has tribal casinos.

However, representatives from the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes strongly opposed the measure. The tribal leaders argued that previous gambling expansions, such as legal sports betting and historical horse racing, had already cut into their revenues, and online casino gaming would further affect their financial stability. They also warned that a decline in gaming income would impact their ability to provide essential services to their communities.

Meanwhile, advocates for responsible gambling also voiced concerns about potential addiction risks, especially among young people.

In favour arguments

Supporters of HB 162, including the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA)—a group representing major operators like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming—opined that legalising online casinos would generate tax revenue and provide consumer protections.

Sarah Filosa, spokesperson at Sports Betting Alliance, said, “By transitioning from an unregulated, untaxed iGaming environment to a structured and lawful one, the state can harness substantial economic benefits while safeguarding its residents.”

Speaking on behalf of the iDevelopment Economic Association, John Pappas emphasised that legalisation would help authorities crack down on offshore and sweepstakes-based gambling platforms operating in legal grey areas. He pointed to Michigan as an example where illegal gambling decreased after regulation.

Revenue projections and licensing fees

A study conducted before the bill’s introduction projected that Wyoming could earn between $20 million and $30 million in tax revenue in the first year, rising to $40 million by year five. The bill proposed a five-year online gaming licence fee of $100,000, with renewals costing $50,000. Vendors would have paid $10,000 for initial licensing and $5,000 for renewals.

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