Residents in the Cowboy State might see the day when online casino games will become readily available within their territory. Representative Robert Davis has recently introduced House Bill 0162 (HB 0162), which strives to authorize interactive gaming in the Equality State with regulation by the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC).
HB 0162 is co-sponsored by Rep. Landon Brown and J.T. Larson, and establishes the potential regulatory framework for an iGaming environment as well as revenue projections once the iGaming market within the state has been approved.
What are the Key Tenets of HB 0162?
HB 0162 tackles two main factors concerning licensing and revenue distribution. For the licensing process, the online casino bill states,
“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. This tenet gives operators that have already established a footprint in Wyoming an advantage over prospective online casino operators who have yet to enter the Cowboy State’s market.
Moreover, 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.
As for revenue distribution, 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.
What Can Wyoming Players Expect if HB 0162 Gets Passed?
In the event that HB 016 successfully gets passed, residents within the Cowboy State will see various online casino operators that offer online slot games and other popular iGaming entertainment.
The most recent iGaming-related endeavor that Wyoming lawmakers have successfully passed was focused primarily on sports betting, which became regulated in 2021. Last year, Rep. Davis filed HB 0162 after a failed attempt in 2024 to bring real money casino gaming to Wyoming.
Last September 2024, the Wyoming Gaming Commission and state legislature noted that Spectrum Gaming Group was conducting a comprehensive feasibility study on the state’s gambling industry. The study aimed to assess the viability and potential benefits of expanding gambling options, including online casino gaming.
Spectrum Gaming Group’s study was then published in November, and provided an optimistic outlook and served as a foundation for future legislative actions, including HB 0162.
