The Economic Impact of Casinos on Wyoming's Economy

Much goes into building a thriving economy; most of the time, you can’t pinpoint one area that stands out more than others. However, one section of the economy is a crucial metric to how most areas stay afloat without industry, and that is tourism. Tourism isn’t just about the sites and culture, it’s about how many dollars flow through the community. One significant draw for tourists and locals is Casinos, which encourage a lot of money to flow not only through gambling but also through entertainment, lodging, and goods. You may be surprised to find out how much Casinos affect Wyoming’s economy.

Almost Didn’t Happen

Anyone familiar with Wyoming’s unique gambling history knows Wyoming’s casinos didn’t just appear out of the blue. Wyoming had a ban on most gambling outside of charitable gambling until the early 2000s when Wyoming indigenous tribes sued for the right to operate class three casinos, citing the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act. The state fought hard, but in the end, the casinos were granted to the Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes, and now those tribes are bringing significant income into the state.

The Money Obviously

Casinos see millions of dollars flow in and out every year, but most of that money goes to the casino and winners, so how does that help the economy? Tribal casinos don’t pay taxes, so their money doesn’t go directly to the local government; they contribute money in other ways. Most significantly, casinos tend to be a large employer of those who live on and off the reservation. A few of the jobs casinos create include security, pit bosses, servers, hotel support, and general support staff like janitors and desk attendants. These people get paid by the community and then go out into the same community and buy groceries, gas, and household items locally, which boosts the local economy.

Casinos are also places where dreams come true daily; when people make more, they spend more. If someone hits it big in a Wyoming casino, they will spend a little extra in the state, whether buying a round at the local saloon or buying a new car to get out of town. As the saying goes, easy come, easy go, and nothing comes easier than winning big at a casino.

Another way casino money flows into the community is through charity and business dealings. Just because the casinos aren’t forced to pay taxes doesn’t mean they horde the cash in some kind of Scrooge McDuck vault. Much of any tribal casino’s profits go back into the community, whether it be tending to the basic needs of the tribes like food and medical care or something less necessary but still builds the community, like building a playground, for instance. They may also work with local governments to invest in property or sponsor buildings and events like any other business.

Tourism

Believe it or not, casino tourism is a thing, and people will travel the country to enjoy different casinos. Casinos attract people from all walks of life, whether traveling to visit a specific casino or people who pulled off the road to enjoy some rest and recreation. Tourists bring fresh dollars into the community and often leave with less than they came with.

Of course, the money lost doesn’t really help anyone but the casino, but those tourist dollars go to other places in the community to help the economy. Tourists tend to tip a little better, which means more money in the pocket of employees at the end of each month. They also spend more on food and souvenirs that locals wouldn’t buy. One tourist spending a little extra wouldn’t be noticed, but when it is thousands of people bringing in millions of dollars every year it is noticeable, which is why the COVID pandemic hurt so many local economies that rely on tourism dollars.

Jobs Created

We’ve talked about the jobs created at the casino but not the jobs created outside of the casino. More tourism leads to growth in the communities at large. It could mean a new Walmart is built or another gas station opens. There are new employment opportunities for every business created to meet the community's demands. These workers pay taxes and spend money on goods and services locally, which keeps money circulating through the economy.

Casinos Are the Anchor

Casinos are the anchor and example, but they are not the only ones. Thanks to Wyoming’s unique gambling laws, most of the four operating class three casinos in Wyoming are located in the center of the state. This is great for those local economies but doesn’t help the rest of the state.

The good news is that there are a few options outside the big casinos that do everything above on a much smaller level. Perimutual betting facilities, bingo halls, and race tracks bring in money to the local community in a similar fashion to casinos, but Casinos will almost be the anchor of the Wyoming gambling economy.

Money Makes the State Go ‘Round

One could only imagine that the Wyoming legislature is glad they lost that legal battle in the early 2000s. If the tribal casinos were to shut down today, it would create a negative ripple effect across Wyoming, leading to an economic downturn. The great news is that the casinos run by Arapahoe and Shoshone tribes have been around long enough to prove that they benefit the community and will likely continue bolstering local and state economies for the foreseeable future. Now, all that’s left is for you to do your part to stimulate the economy by visiting one of Wyoming’s clean and friendly casinos. Who knows, maybe you will be the next big winner who can add a little extra to the local economy with a round at the saloon.