New Wyoming Bill Would Legalize iGaming and Online Poker
Wyoming has become the sixth U.S. state to introduce iGaming legislation in January, with House Bill 162 now under consideration. The bill, which has been referred to the House's Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee, aims to legalize full-scale online casino gambling, including online poker. Supporters of the bill hope it will move forward through legislative channels and eventually become law.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:House Bill 162 differs from other online gambling proposals introduced in the 2025 legislative year across the country. In addition to legalizing traditional iGaming activities such as online slots, table games, and poker, the bill includes a regulatory framework for online pari-mutuel wagering throughout the state. Wyoming's current pari-mutuel wagering system only allows simulcast betting at licensed facilities, but this bill would expand that capability by allowing online participation.
Related: Wyoming to Explore Possible Gambling ExpansionOne of the key aspects of the bill is its provision for player pooling, which would enable online poker players in Wyoming to compete against players from other states or jurisdictions where online poker is also legal. This is a significant inclusion, as Wyoming's small population of fewer than 600,000 residents would make an independent online poker market difficult to sustain. By authorizing player pooling, Wyoming could join multi-state poker networks to ensure a more competitive player base.
Wyoming's approach to player pooling aligns with models adopted in states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, which have successfully entered into interstate agreements to share player liquidity. The bill explicitly mentions pooling with other authorized jurisdictions, a provision seen as essential to the long-term success of the state's potential online poker market. Without this feature, the state's poker player base would likely be too small to support a thriving online poker ecosystem.
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Pari-mutuel Wagering Could Hold the Key
The inclusion of online pari-mutuel wagering in House Bill 162 places it on equal footing with other gambling expansions in the state. Currently, pari-mutuel betting in Wyoming is limited to licensed wagering halls that offer simulcast betting on horse racing and other approved events. By allowing residents to place bets from anywhere within the state, the bill seeks to modernize and expand the reach of Wyoming's wagering industry.
Tribal gaming operations in Wyoming are not directly affected by this bill, as they operate under separate state-tribal gaming compacts. However, the proposed legislation would allow tribal casinos to participate in off-reservation online gambling under the same regulatory framework. This could provide additional economic opportunities for the state's tribal gaming operators by allowing them to expand their reach beyond their physical casino locations.
Wyoming's introduction of House Bill 162 follows a broader national trend toward expanding legal online gambling. States that have previously legalized online casino gaming and poker have reported significant tax revenue generation, which may serve as an incentive for lawmakers considering the measure.
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