Wyoming’s Online Gaming Chances Disappear as House Rejects Bill

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 22, 2024

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Wyoming’s online casino legislation won’t be on the agenda this coming session. The Wyoming House voted 25-36-1 against considering iGaming legislation this year.

Representative Robert Davis, the bill’s sponsor, aimed for House Bill 120 to be taken up but faced challenges due to the state’s short budget session. Davis argued for the bill, emphasizing its role in curbing illegal iGaming activities within Wyoming and protecting citizens.

However, lacking the required two-thirds majority for official introduction, the bill won’t progress.

Representative John Winter, a member of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, expressed reservations about advancing Wyoming online casinos, citing concerns about the rapid pace and potential risks for youngsters.

Winter shared this during discussions on the matter. In response, Davis, a former president of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, dismissed the notion that the commission needed more time, emphasizing that the issue had been on their radar three years ago.

Davis argued that bringing iGaming onto responsible platforms would ensure youth protection, as these platforms inherently incorporate safeguards. However, Representative Allen Slagle opposed the bill, expressing concerns about inadequate protections against offshore gambling and the potential for increased gambling addiction among citizens.

Considering the objection from the gaming commission and the constraints of the short session, the postponement of online casino legislation in Wyoming seems pragmatic, especially in a state lacking physical casinos.

The possibility of refining the legislation is on the horizon in the next legislative session. Davis’ iGaming proposal closely aligns with Wyoming’s sports betting law, primarily designed for existing online sports betting operators to expand into real money online casinos.

The legislative history, exemplified by the 2020 rejection of sports betting, suggests that next year’s extended session offers a more favorable environment for Wyoming online casino legislation, allowing direct committee hearings without an initial floor vote.

This prolonged session provides ample time for thorough bill discussions. The news comes after reports of gaming revenue were disclosed.

The recent monthly revenue report from the Wyoming Gaming Commission discloses that Wyoming sports betting platforms saw a surge in activity, with wagers exceeding $20.2 million.

This robust engagement translated into an unprecedented sportsbook revenue of $2.6 million, establishing a new state record. After factoring in deductions for promotions, the adjusted revenue remains impressive at $1.75 million, marking another record-setting figure for the state.