Out of the blue, Wyoming is giving online casinos the green light in 2024. Representative Robert Davis introduced House Bill 120 to make iGaming legal and well-regulated in the state.
Explore the crucial aspects of this legislation and examine the potential implications for the online sportsbooks industry once legalized.
Davis collaborated with the Wyoming Gaming Commission after attending a gaming conference last summer. His goal? Shielding Wyoming residents from illegal gambling and offshore platforms.
Gaming became legal in Wyoming in 2021 when Governor Mark Gordon signed House Bill 133, legalizing sports betting. Progress toward legalizing all forms of gambling continues with the introduction of House Bill 120. If passed, this bill would empower the state’s Gaming Commission to issue gambling licenses to up to five interactive gaming operators.
According to the US Census Bureau, nearly 80% of Wyoming’s residents are legally allowed to place sports bets. HB133 lists a legal gambling age of 18 or older. If enacted, HB120 requires the same.
Let’s break down the Wyoming online casino bill in simpler terms:
So, you can see, the 26-page long bill is well thought out.
Wyoming now joins five other states with similar legislation.
Hawaii is also making waves in the gambling landscape with Senator Ronald D. Kouchi’s introduction of Senate Bill 3376. This bill aims to establish a Gaming Control Commission and pave the way for sports betting and online poker operations.
In Illinois, lawmakers introduced House Bill 2239 to authorize operators to launch iGaming platforms in the state once licensed. The license fee is set at $250,000, with an annual renewal fee of $100,000. Each operator will be allowed to operate up to three skins.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, Senator Ron Watson sponsored Senate Bill 603, which proposes a referendum for residents to decide the fate of iGaming in the state.
In New York, significant efforts are underway, although Governor Kathy Hochul faces budgetary constraints hindering the establishment of new operations.
So, if Wyoming is the first domino to fall, there may be other states to follow.