Wyoming Online Gaming Bill Stalls

Wyoming’s latest push to legalize online casino gaming has hit a roadblock as lawmakers decline to advance the proposal.

House Bill 162 (HB 162) failed to gain traction in the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee.

Tribal opposition and concerns over problem gambling contributed to the bill’s stagnation, despite predictions of $151M in new gaming revenue.

With a legislative deadline looming, supporters must act fast if Wyoming hopes to revisit online gaming legalization this session.

Wyoming Committee Fails to Advance Online Gaming Bill

3 Key Points:

1. Legislative Committee Declines to Advance HB 162: Wyoming lawmakers opted not to move forward with the online casino bill, putting its future in jeopardy.
2. Tribal Opposition Remains Strong: Representatives from the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes expressed concerns over the impact on tribal gaming revenue.
3. Wyoming’s Legislative Window is Closing: The state’s legislative session ends on March 6, with a February 12 deadline for bills to advance between chambers.

Wyoming’s attempt to legalize online casino gaming has suffered a significant setback after a key legislative committee declined to advance House Bill 162 (HB 162).

On February 3, the House of Representatives’ Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee refused to move the bill forward. Representative Cathy Connelly introduced a motion to deliberate on the proposal, but no other lawmakers seconded it.

As a result, Committee Chair Andrew Byron confirmed that HB 162 would be postponed indefinitely, casting doubt on the bill’s future in the current legislative session.

Why the Bill Failed: Tribal and Problem Gambling Concerns

HB 162’s failure to advance is largely attributed to opposition from tribal gaming representatives and problem gambling advocacy groups.

• Tribal Concerns: The Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes argued that previous gambling expansions, including sports betting and historical horse racing, have already impacted their casino revenues. They fear that online casino gaming would further erode their financial sustainability.
• Problem Gambling Risks: Advocacy groups warned that increased access to online casinos could lead to higher rates of gambling addiction, particularly in rural areas with limited regulatory oversight.

Despite these concerns, proponents of the bill—including the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA)—highlighted the economic benefits of a regulated iGaming market. The SBA, which includes BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, and FanDuel, estimated that Wyoming could generate an additional $151 million in gross gaming revenue within three years.

However, the committee’s reluctance to move forward signals a lack of support among lawmakers, making it unlikely that the bill will gain traction before the February 12 legislative crossover deadline.

Wyoming’s Online Casino Bill Faces Broader iGaming Trends

Wyoming is one of only three U.S. states that allow online sports betting but prohibit retail sportsbooks. If passed, HB 162 would have introduced online casino gaming without permitting brick-and-mortar casinos, a model that mirrors recent iGaming expansions in states like Michigan and New Jersey.

The bill’s failure reflects ongoing national challenges in expanding online gaming.

• Virginia lawmakers rejected a similar online gaming bill in early 2024.
• New Hampshire, Maryland, and Indiana are still debating their own iGaming proposals.
• States like New York and Illinois continue exploring online casino legislation but face strong opposition from land-based gaming stakeholders.

While sports betting has gained widespread acceptance across the U.S., online casino legalization remains a tougher battle due to concerns about regulatory oversight, problem gambling, and the economic impact on existing gaming industries.

Wyoming’s Online Casino Future Uncertain

With just days left before Wyoming’s legislative deadline, HB 162 remains stalled, and its future looks increasingly uncertain.

Unless lawmakers revive the proposal before February 12, the effort to legalize online casino gaming in Wyoming will likely be postponed until a future session.

For now, tribal opposition and regulatory hesitations continue to hinder Wyoming’s path toward iGaming expansion, keeping the state’s gambling industry firmly in the hands of existing land-based operators and sportsbooks.