Lawmakers in Wyoming are weighing competing proposals that would either prohibit online sweepstakes casinos statewide or establish a regulatory framework for the sector ahead of the state’s 2027 legislative session.
- Wyoming’s Select Committee on Gaming reviewed two sweepstakes casino proposals Oct. 5 and 6.
- One proposal would effectively ban the sector, while the other would establish a regulatory framework.
- The committee did not vote on either proposal as it considers the issue ahead of the 2027 session.
The state's Select Committee on Gaming reviewed two competing proposals during meetings in Rock Springs on Oct. 5 and 6 as part of its interim work ahead of the 2027 legislative session.
The first draft would expand Wyoming’s gambling laws to cover online casino-style games and sweeps casinos, effectively prohibiting sweepstakes from operating in the state.
The second proposal would instead create a legal framework allowing sweepstakes gaming platforms to operate under state regulation.
Members of the public and other stakeholders had an opportunity to comment on the proposals, giving the committee additional input.
The committee took no vote on either proposal. If the committee ultimately advances either one, it could be considered during Wyoming’s 2027 legislative session. Any resulting legislation would still need to pass through the state’s legislative process before becoming law.
The meetings followed an earlier effort to ban sweepstakes casinos that stalled during committee discussions in August.
Florida AG targets sweepstakes ads
The Wyoming debate comes as Florida separately targets sweepstakes casino advertising.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent letters to Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, and TikTok, urging the companies to prevent sweepstakes casino ads from reaching Florida residents.
Uthmeier’s office argues that promoting sweepstakes casinos constitutes unlawful gambling activity under Florida law. The companies were asked to provide written details of how they will prevent Floridians from seeing the ads by Oct. 23.
The letters also reference lawsuits filed by Uthmeier’s office in August against Stake, Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker, alleging that they offer illegal online gambling through dual-currency gaming models.
