Wyoming Gambling Task Force Renewed To Pursue and Refine Gambling Legislation

A 2025 task force formed in Wyoming to address the state's gambling industry has been renewed for another year, as "lawmakers felt there was more work to be done," according to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. 

The Wyoming Legislature's Select Committee on Gaming met on Thursday to begin discussing various issues, including distribution of wagering revenues, iGaming, and the "Queen of Hearts" charitable games. Last year, Wyoming also considered a sportsbook tax hike. 

As for where the money is going, Nick Larramendy, executive director of the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC), said they saw an increase in handle from horse racing, which was $2.49 billion in 2025. In Wyoming, the handle is then taxed by the state at 1.9% and spread to the Breeders Award Fund (0.40%), the Wyoming Gaming Commission (0.25%), the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (0.25%), and local cities and counties (1%), per the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. 

Wyoming Officials Target Illegal Offshore Gambling Operations

Something else that came up during the discussion was the rise of illegal offshore iGaming and sweepstakes casinos. Larramendy mentioned that companies are using Wyoming LLCs, but they're actually from overseas. 

Committee Considering Additional Gambling Law Changes

Additionally, the committee went forward with several other bill drafts that they'd like to see refine state law. 

These include a purse percentage floor for horse racing, gambling addiction support, breakage reduction (the money left over when payouts are rounded down to the nearest nickel), and a professional gaming commission, as opposed to the current volunteer WGC board. 

From here, the committee will meet again in July to discuss and perhaps refine the bills for the 2027 cycle.