Wyoming lawmakers have reopened discussions on gambling regulation as the state’s gaming industry continues expanding across several sectors, including historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and online wagering.
The Wyoming Legislature’s Select Committee on Gaming met Thursday to begin interim work tied to possible legislation for the 2027 session. Lawmakers renewed the task force earlier this year after concluding that additional oversight discussions remained necessary for the state’s growing gambling market.
Committee members reviewed issues ranging from wagering revenue distribution and horse racing operations to offshore iGaming enforcement and charitable raffle rules.
Horse Racing Revenue and Industry Debate
Wyoming Gaming Commission Executive Director Nick Larramendy said historic horse racing generated a $2.49 billion handle in 2025. He explained that handle reflects total wagering activity rather than deposits, since winnings may be repeatedly wagered.
The state applies a 1.9% tax on handle revenue, distributed among the Breeders Award Fund, the Wyoming Gaming Commission, the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account, and local governments. Municipalities received $24.9 million in 2025, while public payouts totaled about $2.2 billion. Operators retained roughly $180 million after payouts and taxes.
Lawmakers also debated Wyoming Downs and 307 Horse Racing shifting race days from Gillette’s Cam-Plex to Evanston. Kyle Ridgeway defended the move, citing stronger attendance from Utah and operational efficiencies.
“In Wyoming, to focus our center of gravity in Evanston was a business decision and an economic benefit decision for the longer term,” Ridgeway testified.
Rep. Steve Johnson questioned the strategy.
“I’m still disturbed about giving one entity more than 16 race days,” Johnson said. “I think you’re taking advantage of the situation.”
Ridgeway responded: “We follow the laws. And we don’t follow feelings.”
Charitable Gambling Rules Under Review
The committee also examined charitable gambling restrictions involving “Queen of Hearts” games, which the gaming commission previously shut down across Wyoming.
Bryan Grzegorczyk, owner of Alf’s Pub in Cheyenne and founder of Thankful Thursdays fundraising events, urged lawmakers to allow a legal version of the game after raising $4.5 million for nonprofits.
“Please don’t restrict us in helping give back to our community,” Grzegorczyk said.
Larramendy argued that the current structure violates Wyoming criminal statutes because weekly drawings do not guarantee a prize winner.
“There is no prize of value that you are guaranteed to win [each week],” Larramendy said. “You’re simply winning the chance to gamble on a secondary game.”
The committee voted 4-1 to draft legislation requiring at least 50% of raffle proceeds to support charitable purposes.
Offshore iGaming and New Proposals
Lawmakers also addressed illegal offshore iGaming and sweepstakes casinos operating through Wyoming business registrations.
“These companies are offshore … several of the ones that we’ve found … look like an RV park somewhere or just an empty lot,” Larramendy said.
The committee requested draft legislation that would more explicitly prohibit iGaming activity under state law. Members also discussed proposals tied to gambling addiction funding, purse percentage requirements, breakage revenue distribution, and replacing Wyoming’s volunteer gaming commission with a paid professional body.
Source:
“Wyoming lawmakers pursue more gambling legislation”, wyomingnews.com, May 17, 2026
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