Wyoming Rep. Eyes 2025 for Online Casino Legalization

Wyoming Rep. Robert Davis is eyeing 2025 as the year to push for online casino legalization in the state, after his efforts failed to gain traction in the current legislative session. His renewed hope stems from a study commissioned by the Wyoming Gaming Commission, which he believes could generate the momentum needed to advance online casino legislation.

Last week, the Wyoming Gaming Commission announced it had contracted with Spectrum Gaming Group to conduct a comprehensive study on the future of gaming in the state. The study, requested by the legislature in a general appropriations bill, will assess key topics including interactive gaming, tax revenue projections, and recommendations for regulatory frameworks.

The study is set to examine multiple forms of gaming, including historic horse racing, skill-based games, and online sports betting, which Wyoming legalized in 2021. Davis is optimistic that the study will spark renewed interest in legalizing online casinos, building on Wyoming's existing gaming laws.

 

Failed Attempt at Online Casino Legislation in 2023

Earlier this year, Davis made a bold move by introducing legislation to legalize online casinos in Wyoming. His bill, modeled after the state’s 2021 online sports betting law, aimed to create a regulated online casino market with provisions for at least five operator permits. The bill proposed a $100,000 initial fee, renewable for $50,000 every five years, and set a 10% tax rate on online casino revenue, mirroring the sports betting tax structure.

The proposed legislation also set a minimum age of 18 for online casino participation, consistent with Wyoming's other gambling regulations. Additionally, the bill allocated $300,000 to address problem gambling prevention and treatment.

However, the bill faced significant hurdles during Wyoming’s budget-focused legislative session. Lawmakers needed a two-thirds majority vote to assign the bill to committee, but it fell short with a 25-36-1 vote in the House. Despite the setback, Davis remains hopeful for next year, especially given the potential impact of the gaming study.

 

Study Could Pave the Way for 2025 Legislation

The gaming study is seen as a critical factor in shaping the future of online casino legislation in Wyoming. Davis believes the study could demonstrate the extent to which unregulated online gaming is already occurring in the state, making a strong case for legalization. He hopes that a data-driven approach will convince lawmakers of the economic benefits and need for consumer protections through regulation.

“A lot depends on what the study yields,” Davis said. “Once we see the study, then we can see if there’s an appetite for it or not.”

The initial draft of the study is expected in early November, providing timely insights as Wyoming legislators begin prefiling bills for the next session on November 6. Davis indicated that he will use the study’s findings to refine his bill, potentially updating language or adjusting provisions based on the study’s recommendations.

However, Davis is also prepared to hold off if the study does not support the legalization of online casinos. “There’s no sense in trying to do something if the study doesn’t support it,” he acknowledged, though he remains confident that the study will back his efforts.

 

“A lot depends on what the study yields. Once we see the study, then we can see if there’s an appetite for it or not.”

 

The Future

Davis has made it clear that the study will play a pivotal role in his decision-making for the next legislative session, which runs from January 14 to March 7, 2025. Unlike this year’s session, passing a bill next year will only require a majority vote, making the legislative process potentially smoother for proponents of online casino legalization.

“My hope is the study shows to what degree it is occurring in Wyoming illegally,” Davis said. “Then the best thing to do with something occurring illegally is to legalize it and protect the people who are doing it.”

With the gaming study set to shape the conversation around online casinos, Wyoming’s gaming landscape could see significant changes in the coming years.