Wyoming Makes Another Attempt at Online Casino Gaming

By Jerry Smith Staff Writer Updated: 01/29/2025

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Online Casino Gaming

Now that the 2025 legislative season is in full force, Representative Robert Davis has continued his efforts to legalize online casinos in Wyoming. House Bill 0162 would allow interactive gaming in Wyoming under the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) regulation.

What Does House Bill 0162 Entail?

The bill introduced by Davis permits online gaming on tribal lands through a state gaming agreement. This is because Wyoming only has Native American Casinos (tribal) and no commercial ones.

Although the bill will allow online gaming in the state, a few rules exist to keep everything fair and safe for all. Davis is not alone in his efforts, Reps. Landon Brown and J.T Larson are co-sponsoring the bill.

The aim is to create a framework that would work for everyone, including the tribal casinos already functioning in the state. Some revenue projections are also thrown in, which could be a massive win for Wyoming.

Here are some key highlights of bill 0162:

• House Bill 0162 requires the Gaming Commission to issue at least five interactive gaming operator permits.
• Operators with an existing online sports betting permit in Wyoming pay a $2,500 application and renewal fee.
• Approved operators pay a $100,000 fee for an initial iGaming license, for five years.
• Renewing an iGaming license costs $50,000.
• An initial five-year iGaming vendor permit costs $10,000, with a $5,000 renewal fee.

In addition, the online casino bill would require operators to hand over 16% of their monthly revenue, with some cash going towards problem gambling treatment and county funds. The remainder of the funds will be shared between the state’s School Foundation Program, the Wyoming Department of Health, and the gaming commission itself.

Will This Time Be Different?

This isn’t Davis’s first attempt at legalizing online gambling in Wyoming; he attempted it last year, but House Bill 0120 didn’t work out.

Bill 0120 stated,

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.

The streamlined government and smaller size of the state could work in its favor regarding passing online gaming legislation. Small states can move quickly and capitalize on new opportunities. With only a few stakeholders to negotiate with, Wyoming might be able to avoid the lengthy and complex discussions that often hold up progress in larger states.