Wyoming Committee Advances Sweepstakes Casino Ban, Targeting 2027 Legislative Session

Wyoming lawmakers took a significant step toward banning online sweepstakes casinos on October 13, 2026, when the Select Committee on Gaming unanimously agreed to sponsor a draft bill for the 2027 legislative session. The proposal would make operating a covered sweepstakes platform a felony, though it has not yet become law.

The committee’s decision follows years of confusion over which state agency should handle complaints about sweepstakes platforms. The Wyoming Gaming Commission and the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit have both received reports from residents, but neither has clear jurisdiction.

Regulatory uncertainty drives action

Gaming Commission Executive Director Nicholas Larramendy described a frustrating cycle of referrals to lawmakers. “They give it to us. We look at it. Then we get the argument that this is under consumer protection,” he said, explaining how complaints bounce between agencies without resolution.

A 2026 legislative research report provides additional context. Wyoming prize promotion rules prohibit requiring payment to win a prize, which sits at the heart of the legal argument. The same report documents complaints from sweepstakes players who could not collect winnings, creating a separate enforcement problem around payout disputes.

The legal distinction centers on how sweepstakes products operate. Platforms use promotional currencies and free entry routes, while operators maintain they offer promotions rather than unlicensed gambling. This gray area has allowed sweepstakes casinos to operate in a state that explicitly prohibits online casinos.

Industry voices raise concerns

VGW attorney Bill Gantz warned lawmakers that the proposed wording could reach beyond casino-style platforms. He argued it might restrict sweepstakes linked to purchases of goods or services, potentially affecting legitimate promotional programs.

Former state Sen. Affie Ellis, an attorney representing Bally’s Corporation, also distinguished the operating models. She noted that sweepstakes and online casinos can display similar slots, blackjack tables, and jackpot animations while functioning differently under the law. Her testimony highlighted the difficulty of crafting legislation that targets unlicensed gambling without capturing legitimate business promotions.

Growing gambling activity in Wyoming

The debate comes during another year of expanding legal gambling activity in the Equality State. Larramendy reported that 2025 wagers reached approximately $2.7 billion, with projections that the total could exceed $3 billion in 2026. These figures measure money wagered, not operator revenue.

The Select Committee on Gaming has also examined local authority over gambling, horse racing regulations, responsible gambling funding, and prediction markets during its sessions. The unanimous decision to back the draft ban followed discussions over whether Wyoming should license sweepstakes platforms or prohibit them entirely.

The Gaming Commission previously warned residents about unlicensed online gambling, including sweepstakes and social casino platforms offering cash payouts. However, committee sponsorship alone creates no new offense. The Legislature must pass the proposal and complete the enactment process before the draft changes state law.

What this means for video poker players

For PlayVideoPoker readers, this development matters because sweepstakes platforms often offer video poker variants alongside slots and table games. These platforms operate in a legal gray area that regulators in multiple states are now scrutinizing. Wyoming’s move could influence other state legislatures considering similar bans.

Key facts

The draft bill faces a long path before becoming law. The full Legislature must consider and pass the proposal, and the governor must sign it. If enacted, Wyoming would join a growing list of states taking action against sweepstakes casinos, though the legal and operational questions around these platforms remain unresolved.

Source: iGaming.org Casino News – https://igaming.org/casino-news/wyoming-committee-backs-sweepstakes-casino-ban-for-2027-session/