Republican sponsor to reintroduce Wyoming online casino bill in 2025
Bill Davis prepares second push with House Bill 120 after failing to garner support in the House this year, according to local media reports
A Wyoming Republican politician is planning to reintroduce his igaming bill during the Cowboy State’s 2025 legislative session.
Bob Davis’ House Bill 120, which would have legalized online casinos, failed to pass this year after being voted 35-26 against.
According to the Cowboy State Daily, Davis is planning to reintroduce the legislation when the next session resumes on January 14.
House Bill 120 included a 10% tax rate and scope for five licenses to be issued, each costing an initial $100,000.
Davis said: “The biggest thing is that it’s occurring illegally in the state of Wyoming. And so, we need to do something to protect the wagering public, in my opinion. Then along with that comes some other benefits to the state.
“Wyoming has been very proactive. They did that with sports wagering, they did that with the games of skill. They’re aware of what’s going on, and we need to act and get it under control.
“The other benefits from it would be a tax base. There seems to be large amounts in wagering, according to the different studies and stuff. Wyoming could use that tax money.”
Davis’ comments and plans to push for igaming again came after Spectrum Gaming Group published a feasibility study into Wyoming’s online casino market last month.
The 121-page report, commissioned by the Wyoming Gaming Commission, found that the state’s igaming market could have generated up to $138.4m in GGR for full-year 2024.
However, the group did say the vertical’s legalization could have an impact on tribal operators and historical horse racing (HHR).
The study noted: “Based on the results in the seven igaming states, and most notably in West Virginia – which we believe is most similar with Wyoming in both its gaming landscape and its population distribution – Spectrum expects that igaming in Wyoming would not cause an erosion of either HHR GGR or Native America casino GGR.
“But, we believe it could restrict the ordinary growth of gaming revenues in those sectors.”
On his expectations for the bill to pass in Wyoming, which has a Republican House and Senate following the November election, Davis said: “I had good response last year.
“We’ll see if I can get a little more and get it introduced to the committee for public comment, is what I’m hoping.”
At the time of writing, House Bill 120 is not listed on Wyoming’s 2025 legislative session.