Wyoming Gambling
What types of gambling are legal in Wyoming?
- Sports betting (online only)
- Horse racing (off-track and online)
- Lottery (lotto sales at retailers)
- Slots, video poker and table games (at the state’s tribal casinos)
- Bingo and raffles (only at registered charities)
- Daily fantasy sports (online only)
- Live poker (tribal casinos and taverns)
Legal Wyoming Gambling Sites
21+ and present in WY. T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700.
Wyoming Online Gambling
Three forms of online gambling are legal in Wyoming:
- Online sports betting
- Parimutuel horse racing betting (advance deposit wagering)
- Daily fantasy sports
Wyoming Sports Betting
Wyoming legalizing online sports betting in 2021, authorizing up to five licensed betting apps. Unlike most states, Wyoming law permits online sports betting only because the state lacks the commercial gaming infrastructure to support retail sportsbooks.
Five Wyoming sports betting apps have launched since then and serve customers 18 or older:
- BetMGM Sportsbook
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Caesars Sportsbook
- Fanatics Sportsbook
- DraftKings Sportsbook
Per state law, Wyoming sports betting sites may offer wagers on professional, amateur, and collegiate sports. Licensed operators may also offer wagering on sanctioned esports events.
Wyoming Sports Betting Laws
Governor Mark Gordon authorized sports betting in Wyoming by signing HB 133 into law in April 2021.
Republican Representative Tom Walters initially introduced the bill in an effort to curb Wyoming’s illegal sports betting industry. Rep. Walters had previously attempted to pass a sports betting bill in 2020, but it did not get off the ground. According to Walters, the bill failed due to bad timing. However, he spent considerable time gathering support for renewed efforts in 2021.
There was one legislative obstacle that could have extinguished any hopes of betting legal in Wyoming. Upon its third House reading, HB 133 was rejected 32-28. It was only after a reconsideration vote where four house reps changed their votes in favor of sports betting legalization that things became smoother.
Some house reps voiced concerns about rising gambling addiction rates and social costs associated with legalizing WY sports betting. Proponents countered that Wyoming should regulate and tax sports wagering since residents were already using illegal offshore sportsbooks.
The Wyoming Pari Mutuel Commission oversees all problem gambling and licensees.
Wyoming Casinos
There are four land-based casinos in Wyoming. All are on the Wind River Indian Reservation in the west-central portion of the state. Slot machines, video poker, keno, bingo, live table games, electronic table games and live poker are all permitted through the state gaming compact. Table games available include blackjack, craps, roulette and Three Card Poker.
Casino Laws in Wyoming
Casino-style gambling is generally illegal under Wyoming Statute § 6-7-101. It outlaws gambling on anything where the outcome is dependent on any level of chance. It also makes gambling devices, such as slot machines, illegal. The Wind River Indian Reservation has a compact with the state that permits it to offer casino games.
Wyoming casino apps are not currently legal.
Wyoming Poker
Poker is legal in two commercial venues in Wyoming. One is the Wind River Indian Reservation. The other is in taverns throughout the state. Tribal casinos may take a rake. Taverns may not. Any poker game is legal.
Poker Laws in Wyoming
There are no Wyoming laws that specifically allow poker to be dealt in the state. However, there are two exceptions worked out through other agreements. The Wind Creek Indian Reservation may spread live poker. Rake may be taken from these games. This is permitted through a gaming pact with the state.
Taverns may deal social poker games through an exclusion in Wyoming Statute § 6-7-101 that allows “Any game, wager or transaction which is incidental to a bona fide social relationship, is participated in by natural persons only, and in which no person is participating, directly or indirectly, in professional gambling.” Raking a tavern poker game would make it illegal commercial gambling.
Wyoming Daily Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sports contests are presumably legal in Wyoming. This includes daily and season-long. All major fantasy sports companies accept players in the state including DraftKings, and FanDuel.
Fantasy Sports Laws in Wyoming
There are no laws that pertain specifically to fantasy sports in Wyoming. The games appear to be legal. This position by fantasy sports companies has never been challenged in the state.
Wyoming Lottery
The Wyoming State Lottery offers a limited number of games. All are lotto-style drawings. Most involve multi-state games.
Interstate Wyoming Lotto Drawings
- Lucky for Life
- Mega Millions
- Powerball
Intrastate Wyoming Lotto Drawings
- Cowboy Draw
- Ragtime Raffle
Wyoming Lottery Laws
The Wyoming Lottery was authorized through House Bill 77 in 2013. The law forbids instant games and video lottery machines. Only lotto drawings are permitted. North Dakota is the only other state with this form of limited lottery. Players must be at least 18 years old. Ticket must be purchased at a retailer. Online lottery sales are prohibited in Wyoming.
Wyoming Horse Racing Betting
Wyoming law permits pari-mutuel horse racing betting online and at designated in-person betting facilities. Races from across the country are available for betting. All major advance deposit wagering operators accept Wyoming customers. This includes TVG and Twinspires.
In-person horse racing betting is available at three race tracks and licensed off-track betting facilities (OTBs):
- Wyoming Downs Racetrack in Evanstown
- The Energy Downs in Gillette (operated by Wyoming Horse Racing)
- The Sweetwater Events in Rock Springs (operated by Wyoming Horse Racing)
- Twelve OTBs at select taverns; Wyoming Horse Racing operates five of these facilities; Wyoming Downs operates the rest
Wyoming Horse Racing Laws
Wyoming horse racing is legal under Wyoming Statute Title 11 Chapter 25. This permits wagering on live and simulcast racing, including taverns, mobile and online. Bettors must be at least 18 years of age. However, an off-track betting parlor inside a tavern is restricted to players 21 years old.
Wyoming Esports Betting
Wyoming sports betting law permits wagers on esports events. Observers may bet on esports matches and tournaments through licensed online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps.
Social esports betting, where players put up money to compete against one another, is not specifically addressed under Wyoming law. The same rule applies to this as skill gaming described above. Participants are likely in the clear when making wagers on their own games. Betting on the outcomes of other people’s games falls under standard sports betting regulations.
Wyoming Skill Games
Wyoming defines gambling as placing money on an outcome that is in whole or in part decided by chance. This eliminates many forms of gambling that are legal in other states. Participants could bet money on games like chess, checkers and duplicate cards. Observers would not be able to bet on these events on the outside. Many luck-based gambling opportunities fall under the social gaming exception so friends would be able to bet on anything within reason.
Games of skill are permitted in Wyoming. Sites like Worldwinner accept players from the state. The games permitted are typically ones involving contests of skill revolving around games like duplicate hearts, duplicate spades, trivia and word games.
Skill-based Gaming Machines
Skill-based gaming machines are permitted in arcades. However, the games may not pay out in cash. Winners may claim prizes or earn credits for free games.
Wyoming Charity Gambling
Bingo, Calcutta pools, pull tabs and raffles are permitted if the profits are earmarked for charities. At least 65% of the prize pool must be awarded to players, according to Wyoming Statute § 6-7-101.
Of the remaining funds, no more than 40% may go to distributors of gaming equipment. At least 75% of the funds left must go to a state registered charity. Charity games are regulated by local jurisdictions, which may opt out of the program.