Wyoming Gambling Laws 2024

Wyoming is the smallest state in the USA and rarely draws much attention from the outside world. However, Wyoming recently turned heads in the online gambling community as it introduced new and unexpected legislation. Below, we will explore the new Wyoming gambling laws and the WY gaming scene as a whole.

Overview of Gambling Laws in Wyoming

The professional gambling laws in Wyoming are an interesting case study of how conservative attitudes come into contact with modern realities. Right now, the state allows certain forms of gaming while completely neglecting others. With this in mind, here is a list of gambling products and their legal status in the state:

As you can see, lawmakers do not have a firm stance on the gambling industry in both the online and retail sectors. Still, some changes have taken place recently, bringing much-needed changes to this small state. Below, we will explore all products in further detail, shining a light on the strange situation in Wyoming.

Casino Gambling in Wyoming

When it comes to casino gambling, there are improvements which Wyoming still has to do. The state has proven increasingly resistant to the notion of allowing casino games. Under the Wyoming gambling laws, gaming is defined as:

Risking any property for gain contingent in whole or part upon lot, chance, or outcome of an event, including sporting event, over which person taking a risk has no control.

As a result, it is practically impossible to run a casino business within state borders. While certain table games do not strictly fit into the Wyoming concept of gambling, there is still an element of chance within them. As such, WY businesses are not allowed to host most of them.

Poker is an exception to the general rule, although the availability of this game is sparse. Certain poker rooms have sprung up in the state. However, they are few and far between. The primary poker hub in the state is the Wind River Hotel & Casino, a Native American establishment in Riverton.

This brings us to our next point – Native American casinos in Wyoming. Since Wyoming tribal gambling laws are independent from the state, the tribes are more or less free to operate with the approval of their leadership. Currently, Wyoming is host to three tribal casinos listed below:

These are small establishments that are far removed from the glamour of Las Vegas’ casinos. They cannot even match the variety of gaming products available at New Jersey casino sites. Still, beggars can’t be choosers. If you are keen on gambling in Wyoming, these locations are more than happy to offer you slots and table games, even in a limited capacity. It is better than nothing.

Despite the small number of games, WY residents look to be happy with the available gaming products. So much so that some of these casinos work 24/7.

Sports Betting in Wyoming

Following the well-known PASPA repeal, many states began legalising sports betting and introducing meaningful legislation to regulate it. Wyoming was somewhat late to the party, but lawmakers eventually made the right choice.

The Wyoming gambling laws regarding sports betting were updated and came into effect in 2021. September of the same year saw the first legal online bookies open for customers, particularly, BetMGM and DraftKings. Other operators are also interested in entering the market, with Barstool and FanDuel as the most likely candidates. In fact, FanDuel gained a licence in November 2021, but it has yet to launch its platform.

Wyoming online sports betting faces unique challenges compared to other states. Since there are no commercial casinos in Wyoming, operators have to provide an online-only product. It will definitely be an exciting state of affairs going forward. The first revenue reports are already released, showing that interest in the product is slowly rising.

Of course, the regulators have specific rules that WY sportsbooks have to abide by. In the 150+ page document, the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission outlines the permitted bet types and eligible events that you can bet on. There are also regulations regarding forbidden wagers, which include pari-mutuel events, sports for minors, injury and/or arrest of a participant. In-play and cashout are featured in the list of permitted bets, as are parlays, teasers and pleasers.

Pari-Mutuel Wagering in Wyoming

The Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission was established to regulate horse and dog racing in the state. Currently, the Wyoming gambling laws allow the operation of dozens of race tracks. Here, bettors can wager on their favourite horse or dog. Licensed venues may also accept off-track bets, as well.

Most tracks are located in towns close to the respective borders of Colorado and Utah. Colorado bettors close to the border might be interested in the WY tracks, since CO gambling laws allow only one real racetrack in the state.

Charitable Gaming

WY gambling laws have provisions for games with charitable purposes. Charity gambling events can only be operated by non-profit organisations that have existed for three years or longer. Moreover, the organisers can offer bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles.

The gambling laws WY specifically outline where the money from such events has to go. Players are to receive 65% of the total turnover in the form of prizes. The state mandates that up to 40% of the net profit can go to game and equipment creators. Finally, 75% of the remaining sum must be donated to a licensed foundation within a year.

The WyoLotto is the state lottery in Wyoming. It is a relatively new creation, established only recently in 2013. The WyoLotto began operation in 2014 and has proven effective at raising funds. However, unlike other state lotteries, Wyoming does not explicitly mention where the money goes. Instead, it is forwarded to the state treasury, which then distributes it as it sees fit.

The WyoLotto site exists, but it does not give players the opportunity to purchase tickets online. You can freely acquire them from retailers, available all over the state. The official site serves to announce winners and winning numbers. Players may also check their tickets and see upcoming draws.

Wyoming Online Gambling Laws

Wyoming online gambling laws are still in their infancy. As mentioned previously, the state only permitted online sports betting in 2021. So far, it is the only legal online gambling product available to WY residents.

Changes of this small scale were to be expected, considering the conservative nature of WY lawmakers. It was surprising enough that online sports betting was made available. Hoping for other gaming products might be overdoing it. Still, it would not hurt anyone if Wyoming should decide to match the top US online casinos.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, Wyoming has exceeded expectations with its gambling sector. It was incredulous that a state would legalise online sports betting without a functioning retail industry, but here we are.

It is our hope that legislations will see the success of the refined WY gambling laws and introduce more meaningful changes in the future. Specifically, the West Virginia gaming regulations can serve as a great example. Until then, prospective casino players will have to make do with the handful of tribal casinos on hand.

Popular Questions

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