The Role of Casinos in Wyoming Tourism

Tourism is a vital part of the economy in every state; Wyoming is no exception. While most people consider Wyoming tourism as exploring the great outdoors, the state has plenty to offer in history, art, culture, and more. One of the many reasons people flock to Wyoming is to visit the casinos operated by the Shoshone Tribe on the Wind River Indian Reservation. These casinos and other gaming sites in the state play a significant role in tourism and the state's overall economy.

Wyoming History

Wyoming has a rich history starting with the indigenous peoples that first settled the land. These peoples hunted and lived off the lands long before European explorers arrived in the early 1800s. Fur trading became a significant industry and led to a century of exploration, starting with Lewis and Clark and culminating in the creation of the Oregon Trail.

Wyoming became an official U.S. territory on July 25, 1868, and in 1869, the Union Pacific Railroad completed its route through Wyoming, which connected the coasts and played a crucial role in Wyoming's development. In July of 1890, Wyoming officially became the 44th state in the Union.

While Wyoming has changed over the years, it has always kept its roots from its Native beginnings to its natural beauty being a draw for tourism and commerce. People still visit Wyoming for its nature and outdoor adventure, but in the late 1990s, the Shoshone tribe won the right to open casinos on tribal land, which opened up a whole new tourism industry in the state.

Wyoming Tourism Facts

Wyoming may not be the first state one thinks about when they think of U.S. tourism, but they have a lot going for them.

In 2022 Wyoming welcomed 7.5 million visitors. Many of those visitors were from other parts of the United States; however, Wyoming also sees a notable number of international visitors, especially from Canada, The United Kingdom, Germany, and China.

Tourism generates around four billion dollars in revenue annually, accounting for almost 4% of the state's total GDP. There are more than 33,000 tourism jobs in the state. It should be noted that some of those jobs are seasonal since Wyoming tourism peaks in the summer thanks to the two national parks being fully open.

The Role of Casinos in Wyoming Tourism

Although they have been around for a few decades, casinos are still a growing part of Wyoming tourism. They have proved to be a benefit to the state by increasing tourism and lodging numbers and bumping up tax revenue. Here are a few ways casinos play a role in Wyoming tourism numbers.

They are a source of entertainment for residents and visitors alike. Most of Wyoming's tourism is related to the outdoors, but extreme weather and nightfall drive people indoors, and those people need something to do. Casinos offer an entertaining option for visitors to enjoy when being outside isn't an option.

Casinos play a part in the state's overall tax revenue, directly impacting other tourism areas. The more money the state has, the better it can maintain all the natural wonders Wyoming is known for. It's also a very symbiotic relationship because the more money the state has, the more it can put into tourism advertising, and the more advertising they do, the more people visit Wyoming's casinos.

There is a market for gambling tourism, so casinos and racetracks may be a reason for some people to visit Wyoming. While they may not be as big a draw as Yellowstone, they may be the only reason some people visit Wyoming.

One overlooked role of casinos is the jobs they create in a community. That may seem like a local benefit, but the more jobs created, the more money flows around town. The more money there is, the better the local government can take care of tourist attractions and create a well-maintained state that tourists want to visit, return to, and speak highly of.

See For Yourself

The best way to understand the impact of casinos on Wyoming's tourism is to see them for yourself. Wyoming casinos and racetracks are vibrant businesses that are fun for the whole family to enjoy. It is easy to see how the casinos have a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding area; some people come for the nature and history and enjoy the casino while they are there, while others come for the casinos and enjoy the history in between games. No matter why you come to Wyoming, the one guarantee is that you will leave with a higher appreciation of the Equality State.