Wyoming’s attempt to legalize statewide iGaming is encountering significant hurdles in its legislative process. The fate of House Bill 162 (HB 162), which aims to regulate online gambling, remains uncertain as the travel, recreation, wildlife, and cultural resources committee failed to advance the bill after a motion to work it received no support. Committee chair Andrew Byron confirmed the bill’s indefinite postponement, saying, “hearing no second, the bill is postponed indefinitely.”
Roadblocks to Passage
While HB 162 is not yet officially dead, time is running out for the bill. The legislative session concludes on March 6, with the key crossover deadline—when bills must move from one chamber to another—set for February 12. Without a second on the motion to proceed, the bill’s prospects dim, as it is unlikely to gather enough support to pass through the committee.
Tribal leaders have been vocal in their opposition to the bill. Representatives from the Northern Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes testified that legalizing online gambling could further erode their revenues, following losses due to legal sports betting and historical horse racing. The tribes argue that reduced income limits their ability to provide essential services to their members.
On the other side, organizations such as the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), which includes major industry players like BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, and FanDuel, support the bill. SBA spokesperson Sarah Filosa argued that legalizing iGaming would provide substantial economic benefits to Wyoming, ensuring the state can regulate and tax the industry. “By transitioning from an unregulated, untaxed igaming environment to a structured and lawful one, the state can harness substantial economic benefits while safeguarding its residents,” Filosa stated.
One of the central debates during the hearing was how legalizing online gambling could help combat the illegal market. Advocates pointed out that creating a regulated framework would allow Wyoming to target illegal operators, such as unlicensed sites offering real-money gambling under a loophole. John Pappas, representing the iDevelopment Economic Association, explained, “It gives your gaming commission and law enforcement a law to point to…if you are not licensed and regulated in the state, you are operating illegally.”
Pappas also noted the success of other states like Michigan, which have used cease-and-desist letters to shut down illegal operators, a tactic Wyoming could adopt if it legalizes iGaming. However, lawmakers remain divided on whether such actions can be effective without the bill’s passage.
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