Wyoming’s Online Casino Bill Faces Uncertain Future

in Wyoming, a bill that would have legalized iGaming in the state has met an unceremonious end. HB 162, introduced in the 2025 legislative session, was left to languish in committee with little support, casting a shadow over hopes of seeing online casinos legalized in the state any time soon.

The Jan. 30 and Feb. 3 hearings of the Wyoming House of Representatives’ Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee saw limited engagement with the bill, which would have expanded upon Wyoming’s existing framework for regulated online sports wagering, established in 2021. Though the committee heard testimony from tribal casino operators, as well as representatives from organizations advocating for responsible gambling, the momentum for the bill quickly evaporated.

A motion to advance HB 162 out of committee was made on Monday, but when it came time to second the motion, no committee members stepped forward. Without any formal support, the bill effectively died, and Wyoming’s path to legal online casinos for 2025 appears closed.

A Setback in Wyoming’s Push for Online Gambling

This marks the second consecutive year that Wyoming has seen a bill aiming to expand online gambling. In 2024, HB 120—similar in scope to HB 162—failed to gain enough support in the House of Representatives, and this year, momentum for HB 162 appears just as absent. The decision to shelve iGaming in Wyoming is significant, particularly as the state was one of the few to show any active movement on this front in 2025.

Wyoming’s legislative calendar played a crucial role in the outcome. As an even-numbered year, Wyoming’s legislature only convenes for a brief session, mainly to consider budget matters. Bills outside of this scope require a supermajority vote—two-thirds in favor—just to be included in the legislative agenda. The short session and the high threshold for approval further complicate the prospects for any new gambling-related legislation.

With HB 162’s defeat, the earliest chance for expansion could stretch into 2027, leaving pro-iGaming advocates with several years to strategize before the state’s next full legislative session.

Tribal Concerns and Legislative Challenges

One of the key hurdles faced by HB 162 was opposition from tribal casino operators within Wyoming’s borders. Testimonies highlighted concerns that legalizing online casinos would lead to significant revenue losses for brick-and-mortar casinos, particularly in the state’s tribal gaming sector. In a state with a population of just over 580,000, the financial dynamics of the gambling industry are especially sensitive, and these concerns played a pivotal role in shaping the committee’s lack of enthusiasm for the bill.

However, not all of the testimony was outright opposed to the bill. Proponents of HB 162 pointed to a 2024 state-commissioned study that projected a notable increase in tax revenue from legalizing iGaming. Supporters suggested that the state could use the projected funds to help support essential services, including education and infrastructure, but the report was ultimately not enough to sway committee members in 2025.

Wyoming’s failure to advance iGaming legislation this year is part of a broader trend across the U.S. Several states, including Virginia, have also seen similar proposals for online casino regulation falter in 2025. In January, Virginia State Senator Mamie Locke pushed for the postponement of her iGaming bill to 2026. Much like Wyoming, Virginia’s legislature holds a short session in odd-numbered years, meaning that 2026 will offer the next viable opportunity to push for expanded iGaming regulation.

Despite these setbacks, the conversation surrounding iGaming remains active in other states. Five other states still have proposals related to online casinos in 2025, though none have yet seen votes in their respective legislatures. As such, Wyoming’s defeat of HB 162 may not be the final word on online gambling in the state.

 

Despite a state-commissioned study projecting significant tax revenue gains, HB 162's defeat underscores the difficulty in overcoming opposition from key stakeholders and legislative hurdles in Wyoming.

Looking Ahead

Rep. Robert Davis, the sponsor of HB 162, is not giving up on the issue. With two years before the next full legislative session, he will have ample time to rally support and revisit the idea of iGaming in Wyoming. During this period, Davis may have the opportunity to address concerns raised by opponents and build a coalition of supporters who can push for the bill’s passage in 2027.

In the coming years, the success of iGaming in Wyoming may depend on how legislators and the public perceive the potential benefits of expanded gambling. With states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania already reaping the rewards of legalized online casinos, Wyoming could ultimately be drawn into the conversation again. But for now, the immediate prospects for iGaming in the state are grim, leaving many to wonder when, if ever, Wyoming will join the growing list of states with regulated online casinos.

As it stands, the push for online casino expansion in Wyoming remains in limbo, and 2025 may be remembered as the year when the dream of legal iGaming in the state was shelved—perhaps for several more years to come.