Wyoming Gambling Laws: How to Gamble in WY
Wyoming gambling laws have been undergoing constant evolution during the latter half of the 20th century. Initially, the only legal forms of gambling were charitable games, bingo, and pari-mutuel betting. However, times have changed. Read this full guide to the latest gaming laws in Wyoming.
Wyoming Gambling Laws Explained
In this guide, we’ll review the history of gambling in Wyoming, changes to the laws over time, and the avenues of gambling that you can explore as a gambler in the state. We will also explain everything you need to know to have a safe and fulfilling gambling experience in Wyoming. This includes information about popular products such as casinos, sports betting and more.Stay tuned to form a deep understanding of Wyoming gambling laws.
History of Wyoming Gambling Laws
As we mentioned earlier, only simplistic forms of gambling were legal in Wyoming before the turn of the century. Gamblers’ choices were limited to three forms: bingo, pari-mutuel betting, and charitable games. In the early noughties, the situation began to change when the Northern Arapaho tribe sued the state of Wyoming over its claim to the right to open a full-fledged casino in the city of Riverton.
The Northern Arapaho tribe maintained that under the Indian Gambling Regulatory act of 1998, the state was obligated to allow them to offer Class 3 games, including slot machines, since these games were already permitted during charity events.
In 2004, the case reached the federal court. The Tenth District Court of Appeals stated that the tribe was “entitled to the full gamut of casino-style Class 3 gambling.”. The state of Wyoming attempted to resist this ruling and set up a rehearing.
However, the court again ruled in favor of the tribe in 2005. This ruling laid the path for the Eastern Shoshone tribe to negotiate its own terms with the local government. Eventually, this led to the construction of a new gambling establishment in the city of Lander.
Under the purview of present-day Wyoming gambling laws, gambling is not limited to only tribal venues. In 2004, the state began to allow local race tracks to install Instant Racing terminals, which are the horse-racing equivalent of slot machines, with the difference being that these machines generate outcomes on races based on historical horse racing data.
Additionally, small local dive bars used to offer electronic skill games which involved playing with money. That was struck down in 2018, however, when the state’s attorney general formally announced that the machines don’t meet the legal standards under the state’s law.
Overview of Wyoming Gambling Laws
Gambling laws in Wyoming follow a unique rule wherein the legality of gambling or real money games is determined based on the prevalence of the element of luck. According to the Wyoming Statute 6-7-101, gambling is defined as “risking any property for gain contingent in whole or part upon lot, chance, or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which a person taking a risk has no control.
This determination, however, is always made on a case-by-case basis. As per the law, any player who engages in unlawful gambling can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to $750. The gambling laws in Wyoming do not mention any specific provisions pertaining to internal gambling.
However, it is safe to assume that the prohibition on unregulated gambling directly applies to online play as well. The legal Wyoming gambling age is 18, and most gambling-related matters in the state of Wyoming are covered by the Wyoming Statutes section 6-7-101 et seq. and 11-25-101 et seq.
Online Gambling Laws in Wyoming
Wyoming lawmakers reviewed the online gambling industry in 2016. As part of this review, lawmakers considered the possibility of legalizing internet gambling. Unfortunately for gamblers in the state, there were no bills introduced after this review since neither the Democrats nor the Republicans were willing to challenge the current status quo.
Like several other US states, participating in illegal games of chance is a crime under Sections 6 and 7 of the Wyoming statutes. However, it is well known that many players in Wyoming enjoy gambling online using offshore online gaming sites. One tip from us – always make sure that the operators are legal and safe, like the best online casinos in the USA.
Players are seemingly convinced that playing online is different from playing live games offline. Additionally, it is to be noted that local authorities have never known to be interested in prosecuting individual players. Therefore, the legality of online gaming in Wyoming has never been determined during a trial.
Casinos in Wyoming and Casino Laws
Did you know that gambling and playing games of chance is deeply rooted in Native American cultural ideals? Therefore it should come as no surprise that land-based casinos in Wyoming are centered only around four tribal casinos. These tribal gambling establishments could be considered small compared to the scale of casinos in Las Vegas or Reno.
However, the tribal casinos in Wyoming give players access to a wide range of games, including classic table games, slots, poker, and bingo. Three of the four tribal casinos in Wyoming are in Riverton, and the other is in Lander. Local gambling enthusiasts in Wyoming also have access to historical horse racing machines, which are available at local racetracks.
Poker Laws in Wyoming
Wyoming is home to only three poker rooms – two of which are independent cardrooms, and the third is operated by the Wind River Casino. The size of these venues prevents them from hosting major tournaments. However, smaller-scale $40 and $80 events are conducted on a weekly basis.
The legal status of online poker is the same as that of internet casinos and gambling sites. Due to the UIGEA and local gambling regulations, businesses in Wyoming are not allowed to operate poker sites, and playing on offshore sites is also considered a misdemeanor.
Wyoming Sports Betting Laws
After the Supreme Court enabled all states to regulate gambling through the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, Wyoming did not introduce a sports betting bill. Therefore, legal betting in Wyoming is limited to horse and greyhound racing, which are available at Sweetwater Downs and Wyoming Downs. It’s important to note that residents of Wyoming do not have access to any online betting options that are legal since placing bets via offshore platforms is considered a misdemeanor.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Wyoming
Luckily for the residents of Wyoming, DFS sites fall under a legal gray area as they are not mentioned in any of the Wyoming Statutes on gambling. As is the case in most places around the world where players enjoy participating in DFS, game operators maintain that their contests are completely skill-based and therefore legal. Residents of Wyoming can enjoy access to all major DFS platforms.
Wyoming Lotteries
Launched in 2013, the Wyoming Lottery offers multi-state games like MegaMillions, Lucky for Life, and Powerball. The Wyoming Lottery also provides a local competition called Cowboy Draw, but there are no instant prizes. All tickets to the Wyoming Lottery must be purchased from offline retailers as online sales haven’t been legalized yet.
Wyoming Gambling Laws FAQs
Now that we have examined all the laws surrounding gambling in Wyoming, let’s take a step back to answer the most frequently asked questions about gambling laws in the Equality State.
1️⃣ What types of gambling are legal in Wyoming?
There are three main tribal casinos in Fremont Country that operate completely legally under the Wyoming gambling laws. Apart from the tribal casinos, Wyoming gamblers can also enjoy charitable bingo, lucky draws, and pari-mutuel horse race bets. The state still doesn't have its lottery or commercial casinos.
2️⃣ Is online gambling legal in Wyoming?
Internet gambling in Wyoming is a grey area since there are no specific Wyoming online gambling laws. It is also to be noted that local authorities are known not to persecute offshore gamblers. Therefore, many players still engage in online play with licensed offshore operators.
3️⃣ Are there any land-based casinos in Wyoming?
There are four Native American casinos in Wyoming. They operate according to the Wyoming tribal gambling laws. This is actually the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which applies to casinos on Native American reservations. The tribal casinos in Wyoming provide access to slots, table games, bingo, and poker.
4️⃣ How can Wyoming residents enjoy offshore gambling?
Most major offshore betting operators welcome players from Wyoming. Additionally, Daily Fantasy Sports is positioned as a game of skill and, therefore, available to all Wyoming residents. You can bet on some of the top DFS platforms, including DraftKings and FanDuel.
5️⃣ Is the lottery legal in Wyoming?
The Wyoming state lottery was legalized in 2013. You can enjoy popular local competitions like Cowboy Draw as well as multi-state games, including MegaMillions, Lucky for Life, and Powerball. You can purchase your Wyoming lottery tickets via the designated offline retailers.