Wyoming had legal gambling back in the 1800s when the card game faro was king among Old West frontiersmen. In 1901, the state legislature passed laws that banned all games of chance, although these were not strictly enforced until the mid-1950s.
Parimutuel betting on horse races was legalized in 1967, which was later followed by laws to legalize charitable gaming. Crucially, as we will see later, the state's charitable gaming laws permitted “any game, wager or transaction,” provided it was conducted by a non-profit to raise money for good causes.
In 2000, the Northern Arapaho tribe sued the state for its right to open a full-fledged casino in Riverton. The tribe maintained that under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA), the state was required to allow it to offer class III games, including slots, because charitable gaming rules allowed "any game, wager or transaction.”
IGRA allows federally recognized games to offer class II games, such as bingo and poker, on their sovereign lands without the permission of the surrounding state. For class III gaming, a tribe must request to enter into negotiations with the state for a gaming compact, and this is only possible if class III gaming is already legal anywhere in the state.
In 2004, the Tenth District Court of Appeals agreed that the tribe was “entitled to the full gamut of casino-style class III gambling.” This paved the way for the Eastern Shoshone tribe to negotiate a class III compact with the state, which resulted in the construction of a new gambling establishment in Lander.
Because the state initially refused to negotiate with the tribe in good faith, as directed by IGRA, Wyoming forfeited its right to share gaming revenues with the tribe.
Casino-style gambling in Wyoming isn’t limited to tribal venues – in 2003, the state allowed its local racetracks to install Instant Racing terminals, also known as historical horse racing machines (HHRs), which are similar to slots in gameplay but generate the outcome based on historical horse racing data.
Land-based and mobile sports betting was officially legalized in April 2021.
| Allowed? | Notes | |
| Land-based gambling | Yes | Tribal casinos, HHR machines, skill games, charitable gaming |
| Online gambling | No | Mobile sports betting is the only legal form of online gambling |
| Sports betting | Yes | Land-based and mobile |
| Lottery | Yes | |
| Minimum gambling age | 18 |
Wyoming Gambling Law Summary
In Wyoming, gambling is prohibited unless it is specifically authorized by the legislature. Gambling is defined in statute as “risking any property for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control.”
Thus, if a game is based exclusively on skill, it doesn’t meet the definition of unlawful gambling.
Engaging in unlawful gambling as a player is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to $750. However, Wyoming regulations don’t include any provisions pertaining specifically to internet gambling. The state has never prosecuted anyone for playing on offshore sites.
Wyoming laws also allow "social gambling," which means private, non-commercial games where no one is profiting by acting as the house or raking a pot.
On March 17, 2020, Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill creating the basic regulatory framework for the oversight of gambling (exclusive of the lottery), while repurposing the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission into the newly formed Wyoming Gaming Commission.
Most gambling-related matters are covered by Wyoming Statutes section 6-7-101 et seq. and 11-25-101 et seq. The minimum gambling age is 18.
Online Gambling in Wyoming
Currently the only form of online gambling that is fully legal and licensed by the state is online sports betting, which has been available since September 2021.
In March 2024, lawmakers filed a bill that would legalize and regulate online casino gaming. If passed, HB 120 would create five interactive gaming licenses. That's a big "if," but it's still significant that lawmakers are at least now having conversations about legalizing iGaming.
Wyoming Casinos
Land-based casino gambling is centered around three tribal casinos. These gaming venues are small compared to their Vegas or New Jersey counterparts, but they give their customers access to a wide range of games, including slots, classic table games, poker, and bingo.
They are the Little Wind Casino and Wind River Casino in Riverton and the Shoshone Rose Casino & Hotel in Lander. All three are situated on the Wind River Indian Reservation, which is shared by the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.
There are no commercial casinos in Wyoming, although there is a racetrack that offers "slots-like" historical horse racing (HHR) machines. The tribes are not required to share gaming revenues with the state.
Wyoming Sports Betting
Wyoming's 2021 sports betting bill was something of a longshot to pass, but as every gambler knows, sometimes a longshot comes off. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon in April of that year, legalizing land-based and online sports betting in Wyoming, and the first online betting sites launched in the fall.
Today, there are four apps serving the market: DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM, with two, BarStool and Pointsbet, also set to join at the time of writing.
Wyoming Poker
The only tribal casino that offers poker in Wyoming is the Wind River Casino in Riverton, although the others are legally permitted to do so under IGRA.
There are also a handful of small independent poker rooms that operate as non-profits and can therefore offer games under the state's charitable gambling laws.
There is no regulated online poker in WY, although some offshore sites accept Wyoming customers. The legislature is beginning to make noises about regulated online gaming, which could include poker. But as the most sparsely populated state of the nation, Wyoming would need to join the multi-state player-pooling compact (MSiGA) so it could share player liquidity with other states. That's because online poker needs a critical mass of players to thrive.
Wyoming Parimutuel Betting and HHRs
Wyoming legalized parimutuel wagering for horse racing in 1967, but by 2010, the racing industry was on its last legs. With the sport's popularity waning, the costs of running the races outpaced the money coming in. In 2009 and 2010, no live horse races were run in the state for the first time in over 40 years.
In 2013, in a last-ditch effort to save the industry, Wyoming passed legislation authorizing wagering on historical horse racing (HHR). HHR terminals look and behave like slots but use a parimutuel system and pay out based on historical horse racing data. The new law also allowed public to bet on historic races using self-service terminals at off-track betting sites throughout the state.
Fast forward a decade, and the transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. In 2023, the Wyoming Gaming Commission granted 52 live race dates to three thriving racetracks. In August of that year, the Wyoming Downs Futurity had a purse of over $200,000, the biggest in state history.
Wyoming Daily Fantasy Sports
DFS sites operate in a legal gray area, as Wyoming statutes don’t contain any provisions about this form of gambling. As is often the case in states where the definition of gambling is based on the prevalence of luck, DFS operators maintain that their contests are entirely skill-based and thus legal. As a result, Wyoming residents enjoy unrestricted access to all major DFS platforms, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and Yahoo DFS.
Wyoming Skill Games
In 2020, the newly formed Wyoming Gaming Commission authorized 306 locations to offer 836 skill-game terminals statewide, thus licensing, regulating and taxing a previously "gray" gambling market. Wyoming defines a "skill-based amusement game" as "a game played in exchange for consideration of cash, credit or other thing of value on a fixed, commercial electrical gaming device in which the bona fide skill of the player, determined by an individual's level of strategy and skill, rather than any inherent element of chance, is the primary factor in determining the outcome and for which the player may be awarded a prize or other thing of value for a successful outcome."
Wyoming Lotteries
The Wyoming Lottery launched in 2013. It doesn’t belong to the Multi-State Lottery Association, but it offers multi-state games, including MegaMillions, Lucky for Life, and Powerball. The Wyoming Lotto also provides a local competition called Cowboy Draw, but it isn’t allowed to give any scratchers or instant win games. All tickets must be purchased from land-based retailers as online sales haven’t been legalized yet.
Wyoming Bingo
The Northern Arapaho tribe used to operate a commercial bingo parlor before it won the right to open a casino, and bingo games are still offered by the state’s casinos. Charitable games are also legal, but online bingo is unregulated by the state.
Wyoming Gambling FAQ
Are there casinos in Wyoming?
Yes, Wyoming has three tribal casinos, the Little Wind Casino and Wind River Casino in Riverton and the Shoshone Rose Casino & Hotel in Lander. It also has three racetracks that offer "slots-like" historical horse race (HHR) machines.
Is online gaming legal in Wyoming?
No, apart from sports betting, Wisconsin has not legalized any form of online gaming, although there is currently a bill in the state legislature that would.
Does Wyoming have sports betting?
Yes, you can place sports bets in Wyoming's tribal casinos and online via DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM.
Where can I play poker in Wyoming?
The only Wyoming tribal casino that offers poker is the Wind River Casino in Riverton. There also a handful of poker rooms that operate under the state's charitable gaming laws. "Social" home games are also permitted.
Is online poker legal in Wyoming?
No, there is no state-regulated online poker in Wyoming. However, some offshore sites do cater to state residents.
Are daily fantasy sports legal in Wyoming?
DFS has never been officially legalized by the Wyoming legislature. However, all major DFS sites currently offer their services to Wyoming residents on the assumption they are non-gambling skill games.
Does Wyoming have a lottery?
Yes, the Wyoming Lottery was launched in 2013.
What's the legal gambling age in Wyoming?
It's 18 across the board.
Wyoming Statutes
6-7-101.Definitions.
(a) As used in this article:
(i) "Calcutta wagering" means wagering on the outcome of amateur contests, cutter horse racing, dog sled racing, professional rodeo events or professional golf tournament in which those who wager bid at auction for the exclusive right to "purchase" or wager upon a particular contestant or entrant in the event and when the outcome of the event has been decided the total wagers comprising the pool, less a percentage "take-out" by the event's sponsor, is distributed to those who "purchased" or wagered upon the winning contestants or entrants;
(ii) "Gain" means the direct realization of winnings;
(iii) "Gambling" means risking any property for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, the operation of a gambling device or the happening or outcome of an event, including a sporting event, over which the person taking a risk has no control, but does not include:
(A) Bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries;
(B) Bona fide business transactions which are valid under the law of contracts;
(C) Other acts or transactions now or hereafter expressly authorized by law;
(D) Bingo games conducted, or pull tabs sold, by charitable or nonprofit organizations where the tickets for the bingo are sold only in this state and the pull tabs are sold only on the premises owned or occupied by the charitable or nonprofit organization provided that:
(I) Bingo games and pull tab games shall only be conducted by charitable or nonprofit organizations, which have been in existence in this state for at least three (3) years;
(II) In conducting bingo games and pull tab games the organization shall use only volunteers who are bona fide members of the charitable or nonprofit organization or employees or contractors who are paid by the organization to assist in the operation of the game;
(III) Players of bingo games or pull tab games shall be eighteen (18) years or older;
(IV) At least sixty-five percent (65%) of all gross sales shall be redeemed as winnings each month. The net proceeds after payment of winnings shall be restricted as follows:
(1) No more than forty percent (40%) of net proceeds shall be paid to distributors or manufacturers of supplies or equipment necessary to conduct the game; and
(2) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the net proceeds remaining after payment for all costs and supplies shall be donated within one (1) year by the organization to a bona fide charitable or benevolent purpose.
(V) The charitable or nonprofit organization conducting the bingo game or pull tab game may purchase supplies or equipment necessary to conduct the game from a distributor or manufacturer at a price based on a per card or pull tab basis subject to the limitations provided in subdivision (D)(IV)(1) of this paragraph.
(E) Any game, wager or transaction which is incidental to a bona fide social relationship, is participated in by natural persons only, and in which no person is participating, directly or indirectly, in professional gambling; or
(F) Calcutta wagering on contests or events conducted by a bona fide nationally chartered veterans', religious, charitable, educational or fraternal organization or nonprofit local civic or service club organized or incorporated under the laws of this state, provided that:
(I) The contest or event is conducted solely in this state;
(II) Any rules affecting the contest or requirements for participants are clearly posted;
(III) The total prizes or prize money paid out in any one (1) contest or event does not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the total wagers;
(IV) A minimum of ten percent (10%) of the total wagers on each contest or event is donated within one (1) year by the sponsoring organization to a bona fide charitable or benevolent purpose;
(V) No separate organization or professional person is employed to conduct the contest or event or assist therein;
(VI) The sponsoring organization before conducting the contest or event gives thirty (30) days written notice of the time and place thereof to the governing body of the county or municipality in which it intends to conduct the contest or event and the governing body does not pass a resolution objecting thereto;
(VII) The sponsoring organization has complied with the relevant sections of the internal revenue code of 1954, as amended, relating to taxes on wagering.
(G) Display or private use of antique gambling devices in the owner's residence;
(H) Raffles conducted for charitable purposes.
(iv) "Gambling device" means any device, machine, paraphernalia or equipment except an antique gambling device that is used or usable in the playing phases of any professional gambling activity, whether that activity consists of gambling between persons or gambling by a person involving the playing of a machine;
(v) "Gambling premise" means any building, room, enclosure, vehicle, vessel or other place, whether open or enclosed, used or intended to be used for professional gambling. Any place where a gambling device is found is presumed to be intended to be used for professional gambling;
(vi) "Gambling proceed" means all money or property at stake or displayed in or in connection with professional gambling;
(vii) "Gambling record" means any record, receipt, ticket, certificate, token, slip or notation given, made, used or intended to be used in connection with professional gambling;
(viii) "Professional gambling" means:
(A) Aiding or inducing another to engage in gambling, with the intent to derive a profit therefrom; or
(B) Participating in gambling and having, other than by virtue of skill or luck, a lesser chance of losing or a greater chance of winning than one (1) or more of the other participants.
(ix) "Profit" means benefit other than a gain, which is realized or unrealized and direct, including benefits from unequal advantage in a series of transactions but does not include benefits of proprietorship or management of a business wherein a game, wager or transaction described in W.S. 6 7 101(a)(iii)(E) occurs;
(x) "Antique gambling device" means a mechanically or electronically operated slot machine that is at least twenty-five (25) years old and used only for display or personal amusement in the owner's residence, in public and private museums, in possession of a dealer or distributor of lawful gaming equipment or displayed at state or local historic sites;
(xi) "Charitable or nonprofit organization" means an organization recognized as a charitable or nonprofit organization under Wyoming statutes and which possesses a valid exemption from federal income tax issued by the Internal Revenue Service under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. ß 501(c);
(xii) Repealed By Laws 2007, Ch. 52, ß 1.
6-7-102. Gambling; professional gambling; penalties.
(a) A person who engages in gambling commits a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.
(b) A person who engages in professional gambling commits a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years, a fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), or both.
6-7-103. Gambling devices, gambling records, gambling proceeds subject to seizure; disposition thereof; antique gambling devices protected.
All gambling devices, gambling records and gambling proceeds are subject to seizure by any peace officer and shall be disposed of in accordance with law. An antique gambling device as defined by W.S. 6-7-101(a)(x) shall not be subject to seizure unless it is used in any way in violation of this article.
6-7-104. Advertising of allowable gambling activities or events.
Nothing in this chapter prohibits the advertising of any gambling activity or event excluded from gambling under W.S. 6-7-101(a)(iii) and conducted by or for any charitable or nonprofit organization or conducted as a promotional activity by a private business entity which is clearly occasional and ancillary to the primary business of that entity.