The Wyoming online casino bill state Rep. Bob Davis sponsored is dead because it “failed introduction” on Feb. 15. Twenty-five House members voted in favor of bringing HB120 to the floor, and 36 were among the “nays.”
Davis, R-Baggs, talked to Bonus about his Interactive Gaming bill on Feb. 7, when the Wyoming House of Representatives “received” the proposed legislation. He explained to Bonus that the session wouldn’t begin until Feb. 12.
Bonus asked him what HB120’s chances were of becoming law.
He told Bonus on Feb. 7:
Well, it’s probably better than 50% if I can get it on the floor. If I can get it on the floor, I think it stands a good chance.
On Feb. 15, the bill didn’t make it onto the floor.
Davis didn’t immediately return a request for comment from Bonus on Feb. 15.
Wyoming’s Bills Have to Move Fast
If Wyoming lawmakers hadn’t killed HB120, it would’ve had to be on its third reading by Feb. 26. That House deadline shows just how quickly the Wyoming Legislature works.
The Senate’s third reading deadline is March 7. Then, the body adjourns by midnight on March 8.
So, Davis told Bonus on Feb. 7 that legalizing iGaming wouldn’t happen as fast as sports betting did in 2021, but that would’ve been difficult to beat.
On Feb. 19, 2021, Wyoming’s sports betting bill received a number — HB133. Gov. Mark Gordon signed it into law on April 5. Then, the first legal online sports bet in Wyoming happened on Sept. 1, 2021.
The following online sportsbooks are operating in Wyoming:
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
ESPN Bet hasn’t launched in Wyoming, even though Penn Entertainment (Penn Entertainment 17,28 +4,92%) is a permit holder. Penn is switching its apps over from the previous branding of Barstool Sportsbook.
Fanatics Sportsbook says it’s “coming soon” to Wyoming. The online gambling operator’s site allows visitors to “pre-register” for its official launch. That is coming up because Fanatics is transitioning many of its apps from PointsBet.
Fanatics bought the US businesses of Australian operator PointsBet in August 2023.
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