Wyoming Not Yet Ready to Consider Online/Mobile Casino Gambling

In the early months of 2021, the Wyoming state legislature passed mobile sports betting legislation. This came on the heels of a 2020 legislative session where legislators decided not to hear about legislation that was similar to what was passed a year later. The reason for the pause was attributed to the legislative session being too short, which would have forced legislators to try to hurry a bill to the Governor's desk.

It looks like the notion of Wyoming's legislative bodies addressing online/mobile casino gambling is going to follow a similar path. It's an even-numbered year, and the current legislative session will be short with a primary focus on the state's budget.

Online/Mobile Casino Gambling's Current Fate

During the current legislative session, which runs from January 10 to March 9, Rep. Robert Davis presented HB 120 around Valentine's Day. With a little more than three weeks remaining in the short 2024 session, the bill ended up being tabled until perhaps next year. This happened by a House vote of 25-36-1.

Note: A two-thirds majority is required in the Wyoming House of Representatives for a bill to get consideration and pass.

According to Rep. John Winter, it was an unnamed representative of the Wyoming Gaming Commission who likely nixed the idea of addressing online/mobile casino gambling in 2024. The representative reportedly told other House members that the state was simply not ready to seriously consider this type of iGaming legislation.

Interestingly, Davis had served as President of the Wyoming Gaming Commission until 2020. He was none too pleased at the notion that the Commission needed more time. In a statement to the press, he stated:

“As far as the gaming commission stance, three years ago when I served on the commission, this was on their radar." He later addressed certain concerns by adding, "By bringing this on to the responsible platforms, that will allow our youth no entry on to this iGaming. Because the responsible platforms have the safeguards built right into them."

The Precedent Has Been Set

Clearly, a precedent was set in 2020 and 2021 related to the sports betting legislation. Whether it's reasonable or not, the same pattern is being followed with an eye on bringing online/mobile casino gambling access to Wyoming residents.

As far as what's in the legislation that was just tabled, it largely mimics what was passed as online/mobile sports betting legislation in 2021. The key component would allow the state's current mobile sports betting operators to immediately apply for online casino licenses. That would include top U.S. operators like BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Penn/ESPN Bet.

At this point, it's not clear if the same kind of legislation will pass next year. However, the 2024 legislative session will run about a month longer. That will give representatives more time to address such legislation. If everything is in order, online/mobile casino legislation can go right to the House floor for debate without having to endure a hearing for a floor vote.