Here, you will find useful information on the current situation and the history of the gambling laws in Wyoming. We will brief you on the legal and illegal games and the places where you can pay legally. Of course, we included plenty of other interesting facts and details, so let’s get started! Use the following boxes to get directly to the main topics in the post or keep following along.
Gambling Laws in Wyoming – Timeline & Look to the Future
Most of the gambling events in the state are regulated by Wyoming Statutes 6-7-101, and they set apart a game of skill from a game of luck. The latter is forbidden in the state and is deemed to be illegal, at least for now. Such games of luck are described as any betting activity where the bettor risks any property without having control over the outcome of the event.
In other words, sports betting, online slots, or any other gambling game of luck is considered unlawful and should be avoided. Only a few tribal casinos are permitted via the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act from 1988 and, nowadays, you can find plenty of legal games in such establishments. Here is a short list with more highlights from the gambling laws in Wyoming and their development throughout the years.
- Foundation of the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Racing Commission in 1967.
- The Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act legalized tribal casinos in 1988.
- The Northern Arapaho Tribe won the rights to offer Class 3 gambling games in 2000.
- Local racetracks, restaurants and bars were allowed to offer skill-based gaming machines in 2003.
- The Eastern Shoshone Tribe won its rights to open a gambling establishment in Lander in 2005.
- The Wyoming Lottery Corporation started to offer lotto games, also known as WyoLotto, in 2013.
- Unsuccessful efforts on the legalization of online gambling in 2016.
The Wyoming Gaming Commission, also known as the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission, is the main regulatory organization that takes care of gambling matters. The Native American casinos in Wyoming are regulated under the IGRA, and this type of establishment is your best choice if you want to gamble legally on classic casino games, such as roulette, blackjack or slot machines. If we have to look to the future, honestly, there is not much light on the horizon when it comes down to the Wyoming online gambling laws. Yet, daily fantasy sports are neither allowed nor banned, so this is a gray market at the moment.
You can play at the best online gambling sites in the US that offer DFS, but you should try to avoid it if you want to stay on the legal side. Hopefully, the Wyoming gambling laws would include the online daily fantasy sports in the list with allowed games, and we could have a greater choice of legal sites where to play. Another plausible direction is the legalization of off-track sports betting, as there were many attempts to do so for a while. So far, there are only a few legal game types by the Wyoming gambling laws, and we would like to tell you more details about them right next.
Games That You Can Play Legally in Wyoming
Without a doubt, you can find plenty of legal gambling games in Wyoming. The gambling laws in Wyoming are very strict, yet, players have plenty of legal options when they want to try their luck. Just make sure to know the boundaries between legal and illegal because unlawful gambling is punishable by the law. Moreover, you must play legal games if you want to enjoy a seamless gambling experience. You can be sure that the gambling operator will pay out your winnings only if it is licensed and certified. Here are the different types of games legalized by the Wyoming gambling laws.
| 🎰 Tribal Casino Games | You can play most types of legal gambling games only in the four tribal casinos in Wyoming. Examples include slot machines, roulette, blackjack and baccarat, among others. |
| 🎾 Contests of Skill | The gambling laws in Wyoming allow on-track betting on horse and dog racing, as well as pari-mutuel wagering on harness, chariot, and similar sports in licensed establishments. |
| 🎱 Bingo & Raffles | There are many charitable games and types of social gaming that are allowed, such as bingo and raffles, bona fide social wagering, and pull tabs. |
Legal Games in Wyoming Tribal Casinos
This is the only type of gaming establishment approved by the gambling laws in Wyoming. There are four land-based Indian casinos located in Riverton and Lander, and you can find more details about them in the next table. They offer hundreds of legal casino games, such as slots, poker, blackjack and other table games. Some of the biggest poker rooms in Wyoming are located in these tribal casinos.
| Casino | Games | Other Facilities | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind River Casino, Riverton | 800 slot machines, 10 table games, poker room, sportsbook | Rewards card, 90-room hotel, RV-park, bar, restaurant | www.windriverhotelcasino.com |
| Shoshone Rose Casino, Lander | 300+ slot machines and gaming terminals | Rewards card, Player’s Club, 60-room hotel, business center, swimming pool, snack bar, two restaurants | shoshonerose.com |
| Little Wind Casino, Ethete | 170 slot machines, table games, card games | Rewards card, restaurant | www.littlewindcasino.com |
| 789 Smokeshop & Casino, Riverton | Slot machines, bingo | Rewards card, gas station & store, grill, smokeshop & C-store | www.789smokeshopcasino.com |
Of course, you should not expect huge gaming floors with a tonne of games. These casinos offer mostly slot machines and gaming terminals as a part of the overall entertainment activities in their premises. The best part is that many of them offer accommodations, so you can stay for a while and plan a longer gambling vacation. The other sites are located close to the big cities, where you can also come across plenty of amenities and accommodations. Overall, the Wyoming tribal gambling laws offer all you need for a safe and unforgettable gaming experience in the state!
Pari-Mutuel Betting and Contests of Skill
There are several legal options to bet on your favorite sports in Wyoming. You can stay on the legal side as long as you bet on games where any type of skill is involved. It could be a contest of agility, strength, endurance, speed, etc. Similar bona fide contests of skills can also be accessed in the four casinos approved by the Wyoming tribal gambling laws, as well as in local bars and restaurants alike. Since 2003, they are allowed to install instant racing terminals and other skill-based electronic devices. Any other type of sports betting is considered unlawful by the gambling laws in Wyoming and should be avoided.
Charitable Bingo, Raffles and WhyLotto
Next up: you can bet legally on various charitable games in Wyoming. Examples include raffles and pull tabs, as well as bingo or charities. The Wyoming lottery is a similar type of game, and it is also legal since 2013. Many players in Cheyenne prefer to play WhyLotto over other legal gambling types. You should try it too, especially if you are looking for a game with the easiest gameplay. Any other bingo games and pull tabs approved by the Wyoming gambling laws can be enjoyed in charitable or nonprofit establishments.
Games That Are Not Permitted by the Wyoming Gambling Laws
Of course, you should also know about the illegal games that should be avoided. In the first place, any boats or vehicles organized for gambling purposes are deemed unlawful. So, please always make sure to check the type of gambling establishment before you enter, even if you are above the legal gambling age in Wyoming. Secondly, all types of online casinos are also considered illegal by the Wyoming online gambling laws. The federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) describes online gaming as a crime when not permitted under state laws, and that’s why the local land-based casinos and other gambling operators do not offer online gaming in WY.
| Game Type | Legal Status |
|---|---|
| 🎰 Video Slots | Illegal |
| 🎴 Online Table Games | Illegal |
| ⚾ Online Sports Betting | Illegal |
| 🛥️ Riverboat Casinos | Illegal |
| 💻 Daily Fantasy Sports | Gray Market |
You could go the extra mile by playing at an offshore casino site. However, it is not recommended. It is an offence and a loophole of the Wyoming online gambling laws, as online gaming has a very broad definition, and there are no prosecuted or punished online gamblers so far. The DFS sites in Wyoming are not regulated, so they are in the “gray market”, but the best piece of advice is to avoid them if you want to stay on the safe side.
Wyoming Gambling Age
The legal gambling age in Wyoming is 18, and you should keep that in mind before entering the premises of a gambling venue. If you want to play the lottery, classic casino games in the tribal casinos or bet on the racino grounds, then you should be at least 21 years old. Make sure to consider the Wyoming gambling age in advance, and if you are in doubt, you could always call the establishment where you want to play, or you can contact them by e-mail as well. The different Wyoming gambling age is determined by the type of the game and the gaming establishment.
FAQ About Wyoming Gambling Laws
This blog post is at the end, and we would like to provide you with a short FAQ section. Check it out before you visit a gambling venue in Wyoming. Next, you will find more highlights about the Wyoming gambling laws!