Wyoming to Consider iGaming Access in 2025

Things have been going well for the state and bookmakers related to sports betting in Wyoming. Things have been going so well that lawmakers are thinking about looking at iGaming (online casino gambling) when the legislature reconvenes in 2025.

Earlier this year, Spectrum Gaming Group was commissioned to study and report on the potential impact of iGaming in Wyoming. The emphasis of the study was to be directed at potential financial/tax benefits without cannibalizing the state's retail casino business, which is run by the state's Indian community, versus the potential for an increase in problem gambling issues. The study was recently released, and it painted a very positive picture of how iGaming would likely play out in the state.

Wyoming Rep. Robert Davis is Ready to Carry the Ball

After reviewing the results of Spectrum's report, Wyoming Rep. Robert Davis is now convinced it's time to move forward with iGaming legislation. He has told PlayUSA.com that he is preparing to refile iGaming legislation in the early part of 2025. This is what he said to the reporter at PlayUSA:

"The iGaming portion sounds good. It doesn’t support any cannibalization and it looks to be relatively easily implemented based on the things the state of Wyoming currently has going for it." He later added: “I plan on going ahead and introducing it”, clearly hoping to get support throughout the House and eventually the Senate.

Key Points From the Study

The Spectrum study was released to the Wyoming Gaming Commission. What looked inspiring was the amount of tax revenue that was projected to fill the state's coffers over the first five (5) years: $20-$30 million in the first year and ramping up to as high as $40 million by year 5.

The study also reported that most other states that had legalized iGaming access had not experienced issues related to retail casino cannibalization. Everything pointed to the Wyoming legislature moving forward on this issue.

The Dissent

Nothing that involves online gambling in the U.S. is going to have full support. There is dissent in Wyoming, and it's coming from the Tribal Community.

At the Wyoming Gaming Commission hearing, it was Commissioner Jenni Wildcat who took issue with some aspects of the report. As a prominent member of Wyoming's North Arapaho Tribe, Wildcat pointed out that Tribal interests had commissioned their report. In their report, there were indications that online casinos would savage income from Tribal retail casinos. Note: There a three (3) such licensed casinos in Wyoming. The Northern Ara Tribe did a similar study that returned the same results.

Clearly, lines are being drawn in the sand regarding this issue.

What's Next

In odd-numbered years, the Wyoming legislature has normal legislative sessions that cover issues beyond budget concerns. When the legislature convenes on January 14, 2025, iGaming legislation is expected to be on the docket. It's not clear where things might end up, but this positive study will surely satisfy a lot of lawmakers that now might be the time for online casino gambling in Wyoming.