A Comprehensive Guide to Wyoming's Legal Gambling Landscape

If you are confused about the state of legal gambling in Wyoming, don't worry, you are not alone. A lot has changed relatively quickly, and more will likely change soon. Whether you are wondering what gambling tourism is like in the Cowboy State or if your weekend poker get-togethers are technically legal, this should answer all your questions.

Past

Wyoming has a unique past regarding gambling. The state was first settled in the 1800s when people made their way west. Like most soon-to-be-states in those days, gambling wasn't uncommon around the tables of the local saloons. As is often portrayed in media, the wild west wasn't exactly a friendly place, and many of those establishments became known for lawlessness, so gambling and lawlessness became synonymous.

By the early 1900s, gambling started to be looked down upon, much like alcohol, all over the country. Wyoming was especially harsh, enacting multiple bans, and by the 1920s, gambling was all but illegal in Wyoming.

The ban was in place for decades until the mid-sixties when the government created the Pari-Mutuel Commission to regulate certain forms of betting, including horse racing. Other forms of charitable gambling, like Bingo and raffles to raise money for causes also became legal.

Another significant change came in the late 1990s when the Arapaho tribe applied to operate casinos on tribal land in Wyoming. After years of legal battles, the tribes finally won the right to operate their casinos on the Wind River Indian Reserve in Wyoming.

Present

While Wyoming is still one of the most restrictive states in the union regarding gambling, it has come quite far in a relatively short time, thanks in part to the native tribes. The indigenous tribes are the only ones legally allowed to run class three casinos in the state, which means they can offer card games, slots, and other popular casino games.

Apart from those casinos, a few establishments in Wyoming can run poker rooms. A recent change to Wyoming law has also made room for the state lottery. Wyoming residents can purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets; however, scratch-off tickets are still illegal in the state. Betting on horse and dog racing in the state is also legal, and Wyoming has an interesting relationship with betting on races. There are only a few race tracks in the state, but facilities all around the state allow you to place bets on current and historical races. Historical race betting happens on a machine similar to a video slot machine and is a popular form of entertainment in the state.

If you still aren't sure about the state of gambling in Wyoming, here is a deeper look into the actual laws. Statute 6-7-102 states that those caught engaging in unregulated gambling can earn a misdemeanor for up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $750. Statute 6-7-103 states that any gambling-related material and property can be seized by law enforcement if it is concluded that illicit gaming is happening.

So, there is little wiggle room regarding Wyoming law, but there is one loophole. The laws have no verbiage about Wyoming citizens participating in online casinos. There is a little gray area considering the only online casinos that operate in the country are in Nevada and Delaware, and you are supposed to be a resident of those states to access them. Some offshore gaming sites allow U.S. residents to participate, and the Wyoming legislature has done little to address this.

Future

No one can predict the future, but it looks bright for Wyoming gamblers. The state has gone from a no-gambling policy to having three active casinos, many pari-mutuel betting sites, a few race tracks, and a state lottery. Hopefully, the state lottery will eventually expand into scratch-offs. The tribal council is also looking at ways to improve their casino experiences, and there are always rumors of changes, including the introduction of alcohol service at the casinos.

The Law is the Law Until It's Not

Wyoming gambling laws are pretty strict and fairly succinct in their verbiage, so there is not much wiggle room for those who want to expand past what the state currently offers. Since no verbiage or regulation on online casinos is one option for gamblers looking for some variety in their games. The good news is that with some patience, Wyoming gamblers will likely have more options as the state continues to relax its grip on this once-maligned hobby.