Wyoming lawmakers are the second set to punt on online casino legalization in 2025.
Last week, the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee did not advance House Bill 162. The proposal would have legalized online casino gambling in Wyoming.
The committee did discuss the proposal over two meetings. Along with tribal fears of cannibalization and responsible gambling concerns, House lawmakers did not seem comfortable sending it forward in its current form.
Online casino proposal in Wyoming
Rep. Robert Davis introduced the bill. He had said the effort would likely be educational this year.
The proposal came after Spectrum Gaming Group submitted a report last year on the potential for expanded gambling in the state.
Under the proposal, the Wyoming Gaming Commission would promulgate and implement the rules. Online operators in at least three other markets would receive preference for licenses.
Wyoming online casino industry potential
Spectrum estimated that online casino operators in Wyoming could generate up to $200 million annually.
That would create approximately $40 million in taxes for the state. Wyoming sports betting, which launched in 2021, has generated $518 million in handle. Legal sports betting has produced $3.2 million in taxes to Wyoming from $54.6 million in operator sports betting revenue.
Proponents, like the Sports Betting Alliance, advocated for regulation to help stamp out the illegal market.
Virginia punts online expansion, too
Virginia Sen. Mamie Locke tabled her online casino bill during a subcommittee hearing last month and pushed any effort to 2026.
“This bill is designed to authorize reputable, regulated companies to offer internet gaming to Virginians within a safe and legal market,” Locke said during the meeting. “However, after introducing this bill, we have decided that it requires further study on this issue.”
Wyoming and Virginia are just two of a lengthy list of states to introduce proposals this year. Illinois joined the fray last week, which also includes states like Indiana and Maryland with active discussions.
