Facing another record-breaking year for money wagered at Wyoming gambling establishments, lawmakers are mulling new measures to regulate the industry.
In a unanimous vote this week, lawmakers on Wyoming’s Select Committee on Gaming sponsored draft legislation that would ban online sweepstakes games — drawings where prizes are awarded purely by chance. Under the proposed bill, operating online sweepstakes games would become a felony offense.
Currently, state law bars online casinos, although online sports wagering and participation in fantasy sports contests is legal in the state. The law isn’t as clear when it comes to online sweepstakes. And regulators face confusion as to what entity — Wyoming’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit or the Wyoming Gaming Commission — should handle complaints arising from such games.
