Wyoming passes sports wagering into law with hopes for September launch

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Wyoming has emerged as the second US state in 2021 to introduce legal sports betting, with the signing into law this week of House Bill 0133 by Governor Mark Gordon

The bill, which was introduced back in February by six state representatives and two senators, gives power of regulation to the state’s Gaming Commission and paves the way for at least five mobile sports wagering licenses.

Licenses will be made available to companies that operate in at least three jurisdictions, with five-year permits for operators costing $100,000, renewable thereafter for $50,000. Vendors will be expected to pay $10,000 initially for a five-year license which can be renewed for $5,000. A tax of 10% on sports wagering revenues will be payable.

Work must now begin to complete the new regulations, with the Gaming Commission expected to have a framework in place to enable a go-live date of September 1 this year.

The prospect of getting a legal sports wagering sector off the ground in Wyoming had looked dead in the water last month when Bill 0133 was outvoted in the House on March 9. Yet, a day later, it was passed after some reconsideration by 32 votes to four, with little in the way of push back in the subsequent Senate Appropriations Committee. 

The full text of Bill O133 can be viewed here.