Wyoming Online Casinos 2024

Real-money online casinos are not legal in Wyoming, but there are still exciting alternatives like sweepstakes platforms. In this guide, we’ll cover Wyoming’s gambling laws, the latest updates, and the best ways to enjoy casino-style gaming safely. Let’s explore your options!

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Find out why real money online casinos are not legal in Wyoming.
• Discover the best sweepstakes casinos available in the Cowboy State.

Top 3 WY Sweepstakes Online Casinos

Wyoming authorizes the use of social and sweepstakes casinos to enjoy online gambling. Thanks to the use of virtual coins, residents can legally play online casino games. To learn more, read our complete list of the top US online sweepstakes casinos to try out.

Meanwhile, let’s discover the top 3 sweepstakes casinos available in Wyoming:

Types of Gambling Available in Wyoming

Wyoming has embraced various forms of gambling, even as real money online casinos remain illegal. Here’s a detailed look at the gambling options available in the Cowboy State:

Type of Gambling	Legal Age	Details
Sweepstakes Casinos	18	Offers casino-style games with no real-money gambling, redeemable for prizes.
Land-Based Casinos	21	Tribal casinos like Shoshone Rose and Little Wind provide slots and table games.
Horse Racing	18	Bets on live races or simulcast events are permitted at licensed facilities.
Online Sports Betting	18	Legal since 2021; players can wager via licensed platforms.
Lottery Games	18	Includes popular draws like Powerball and scratch-off tickets.
Charitable Gaming	18	Includes bingo, pull-tabs, and raffles hosted by licensed non-profits.
Poker Rooms	21	Licensed poker rooms offer live-action games for enthusiasts.

Declaring Your Wyoming Taxable Winnings

Wyomingites are in luck, as the state is one of the few in the US with no tax rate on gambling winnings. Wyoming has no personal or corporate income taxes either. This means you don’t need to declare taxable winnings in the state. 

On the other hand, the federal government’s 24% income tax rate applies to all gambling made in Wyoming. So, if you win above a particular threshold, the federal tax rate will be withheld by the operator who gives you a Form W-2G. The operator also sends this information to the IRS.

Fact: Wyoming has no state income tax, so gambling winnings are not taxed. 

Wyoming Gambling History: Key Events

Gambling had a muted past in Wyoming, as the state was restrictive to such activities. As a result, most of the gambling features witnessed today were introduced in the 21st century. Wyoming, which was quite strict with its laws, is more open to certain forms of gambling today.

Here are the events that led to the present Wyoming gambling laws:

• 1901: The McGill Act outlawed gambling in Wyoming due to rising concerns over its impact in the late 1800s.
• 1967: Parimutuel betting was legalized, leading to the establishment of the Wyoming Pari-mutual Commission to regulate horse racing.
• 2003: Historical horse racing terminals, also known as instant racing machines, were introduced.
• 2006: Tribal casinos were approved under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, marking the start of land-based casino gaming.
• 2013: The Wyoming Lottery Corporation launched, providing residents access to games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
• 2020: The Wyoming Gaming Commission was formally established to oversee gambling activities, including regulating gaming machines.
• 2021: Online sports betting was legalized, with Governor Mark Gordon signing it into law.
• 2024: House Bill 120, which sought to legalize online casinos, was introduced but failed to pass the state Senate.

Future of Online Gambling in Wyoming

Wyoming has made significant progress toward modernizing its gambling laws, but real-money online casinos remain unreachable for now.

In February 2024, Rep. Bob Davis introduced House Bill 120 to legalize online casinos. Despite the state’s success with online sports betting, the bill didn’t advance, with concerns raised by the Wyoming Gaming Commission about moving too quickly and the potential risks for younger residents.

While the bill’s failure puts online casinos on hold, many experts believe new gaming proposals will surface in the coming years. Until then, Wyomingites can enjoy sweepstakes casinos for free games with redeemable prizes or visit the state’s excellent tribal land-based casinos.

For the latest updates on gambling laws in Wyoming and beyond, visit our comprehensive guide to legal online casinos by state.

References

1. House Bill 120 Wyoming — Retrieved on Dec 02, 2024
2. Wyoming Tax Structure — Retrieved on Dec 02, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions