DraftKings and BetMGM launch online operations in Wyoming

DraftKings and BetMGM commenced operations in Wyoming shortly after online sports betting was given the official green light by the Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) at a special meeting in September.

The Equality State joins Michigan and Virginia in going live with online sportsbooks in 2021. The launch marks the 14^th state of operation for BetMGM’s online sportsbook, and the 13^th for DraftKings.

“We are thrilled that Wyoming sports bettors have the opportunity to experience the highly accessible and immersive fan experience along with best-in-class consumer protections that our product offers millions of skin-in-the-game sports fans,” said DraftKings co-founder and president Matt Kalish.

BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt echoed that in a statement: “We’re ecstatic that BetMGM is one of the first mobile sports betting platforms to launch in Wyoming, just in time for the start of the football season,”

Wyoming defied the proverbial odds in getting mobile sports betting up and running – not only in time for kickoff of the 2021 NFL and college football seasons, but altogether.

After initially rejecting a bill legalizing sports betting in March, the state’s legislature did a 180-degree turn and approved it, with Governor Mark Gordon signing it into law on April 6.

Similar to Tennessee and Virginia, Wyoming constructed an online-only framework whereby mobile operators aren’t required to be tethered to a land-based property to gain licensure.

The law requires the WGC to issue a minimum of five licenses, but only DraftKings and BetMGM had begun the licensing process in time to go live on Wyoming’s launch date.

Additional operators could be entering the fray in the near future, though. Both Penn National Gaming, which operates Barstool Sportsbook, and SuperBook Sports participated in stakeholder meetings, while PointsBet referenced Wyoming as part of its expansion plans during a 2021 investor presentation this week.