Wyoming leads US gambling expansion with new online casino bill

Rajashree Seal January 16, 2025

SiGMA news

The US gambling landscape is set to witness major changes as states roll out a flurry of legislative proposals early in the year. Bills to legalise online casino gaming in Wyoming and Indiana, a proposed gambling tax hike in Maryland, and a new push to regulate “sweepstakes gaming” in New Jersey are among the key developments this week.

In Wyoming, as the 2025 legislative session gets underway, Representative Robert Davis introduced , aiming to legalise online casino gaming under the regulation of the (WGC). Co-sponsored by Representatives Landon Brown and JT Larson, the bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework for online gaming and details details revenue distribution plans.

Wyoming currently has no commercial casinos, and gaming is limited to tribal operations. This isn’t Wyoming’s first attempt to enter the online casino space. In 2024, Davis introduced a similar bill that failed to gain approval. With HB 0162, he is trying again, banking on the momentum seen in other states.

The proposal permits online gaming on tribal lands through state gaming agreements, as Wyoming is home exclusively to Native American casinos and lacks commercial facilities.

🚨WYOMING: HB 162 was introduced today. Bill would authorize at least 5 iGaming operators in the state. If legalized it would create a regulatory framework and bring in millions of new annual tax revenue.
Read the bill🔗
— John A Pappas (@yanni_dc)

Wyoming’s licensing and revenue plans

HB 0162 mandates the issuance of at least five interactive gaming operator permits, setting clear financial and operational requirements for operators. If passed, HB 0162 would require the WGC to issue at least five operator licenses.

Key provisions include:

A $2,500 application and renewal fee for operators with existing online sports betting permits.
A $100,000 initial iGaming licence fee, valid for five years, with a $50,000 renewal fee.
A $10,000 fee for a five-year vendor permit, with renewals costing $5,000.
The WGC would also develop a compliance program to monitor operators and vendors.

Operators would also pay a 16% tax on their monthly revenue. Of that, $300,000 annually would go toward problem gambling treatment, while 40% would be distributed to counties based on population. The majority—50%—would support Wyoming’s School Foundation Program, and the remainder would cover administrative costs for the gaming commission.

According to a study commissioned by the WGC, Wyoming’s iGaming market could generate between $93 million and $138 million in gross gaming revenue during its first year, potentially yielding up to $30 million in tax revenue.

Developments in other states

Meanwhile, Indiana is also renewing its efforts to legalise online casino gaming. Representative Ethan Manning reintroduced a bill proposing a $500,000 licensing fee and a tiered tax system, ranging from 22% to 30%. The proposal also includes funding for responsible gaming initiatives. Indiana had previously attempted similar legislation, but it failed to pass two years ago.

In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore has called for an increase in the state’s gambling tax rates. His proposal includes raising the sports betting tax from 15% to 30% and increasing the casino table games tax from 20% to 25%. If approved, this could make Maryland one of the states with the highest gambling tax rates.

New Jersey lawmakers are also tackling unregulated gambling. Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese introduced a bill to legalise “sweepstakes gaming” and bring it under the state’s internet gaming regulations. The move aims to address concerns over unregulated sweepstakes casinos, which operate without state oversight.

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