At the start of a new legislative session, lawmakers in Wyoming are introducing a measure that aims to add online casinos to the state’s gaming market.
Rep. Robert Davis has introduced House Bill 0162 as a measure that authorizes interactive gaming in the Equality State with regulation by the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC). The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Landon Brown and J.T. Larson, establishes the potential regulatory framework for iGaming along with revenue projections.
The measure authorizes iGaming on tribal land through a state gaming compact as Wyoming is home to only Native American casinos with no commercial facilities.
Davis has filed HB 0162 after a failed attempt in 2024 to bring iGaming to Wyoming.
Wyoming’s potential licensing process
Under HB 0162, “at any one (1) time the commission shall issue not less than five (5) interactive gaming operator permits” to operators that meet its licensing standards.
The measure offers benefits to operators that have already established a footprint in Wyoming. HB 0162 requires operators that hold an existing online sports betting permit in the state to pay a $2,500 licensing application and renewal fee. If an operator is approved by the WGC for an initial iGaming license, they are required to pay a $100,000 permit fee.
The license is valid for five years with a $50,000 renewal fee for iGaming operators. Under HB 0162, an initial five-year iGaming vendor permit costs $10,000. In order to renew the license under the bill, online casino vendors in Wyoming are required to fork over $5,000.
Under HB 0162, the state’s Gaming Commission is responsible for developing an iGaming compliance program that includes an evaluation of conduct by operators and vendors.
Revenue distribution in Wyoming
HB 0162 requires licensed iGaming operators to allocate 16% of their monthly gaming revenue to the WGC with the first $300,00 collected to be distributed to the Wyoming Department of Health for programs and problem gambling treatment resources.
The measure proposes 40% of gaming revenue to be distributed to Wyoming counties with shares of the proceeds determined by population. Wyoming’s School Foundation Program would collect 50% of proceeds from iGaming revenue while the commission’s account would receive 10% with a portion covering administrative costs and expenses.
Comprehensive study of iGaming in Wyoming
Lawmakers have also provided revenue projections for iGaming in Wyoming within the bill following the release of a study prepared by Spectrum Gaming Group last year.
In FY2026, online casino gaming is projected to provide counties with a $2.9 million increase in revenue while the School Foundation fund would see a $3.6 million increase.
The projections are based on low estimates of gaming revenue with revenue at $96 million.
If legal in 2024, Wyoming iGaming could have produced gross gaming revenue of between $93.4 million and $138.4 million based on the state’s 20% tax rate on gaming revenue for skill-based games and historical racing. The rate mirrors regulated U.S. iGaming markets.
Spectrum’s study also addresses cannibalization concerns by comparing Wyoming’s potential iGaming market to West Virginia due to its distributed gaming industry that includes retail casinos, iGaming, video lottery and sports wagering. Spectrum found “little to no erosion of the gaming market for casino gaming” with iGaming in West Virginia.
