Wyoming is one of the few states attempting to strike a balance with online casinos. While it’s certainly not a gambling-friendly area, residents here have alternative options to real-money gambling in the form of social and sweepstakes casinos. Below, we outline the types of gambling permitted in Wyoming, the best places to engage in sweepstakes casinos, and how to do so.
Wyoming residents have a variety of legal gambling options to choose from. However, it can be tricky to know where to play them. You can play games like slots, roulette, and blackjack at any of the state’s tribal casinos. They’re also available at online slots and sweepstakes casinos, although you must play for coins or prizes rather than real money.
The state was among the first to allow online sports betting in 2021. This allowed residents to bet on sports and play daily fantasy sports contests. Pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog races is also permitted, with several facilities in the state catering to local enthusiasts. You can also bet on these races online.
Many sweepstakes and social casinos offer online poker, and there is a poker room at Wind River Casino. Like all other forms of gambling, online poker is technically not allowed in the state.
While it seems unlikely that the land-based casino scene will expand anytime soon, lawmakers continually try to open the state’s doors to online operators. Thus far, those efforts have stalled, but with the amount of money at stake, some form of legalization in the future feels inevitable.
You can play the same casino games at Wyoming sweepstakes casinos that you can play at your favorite brick-and-mortar establishments. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular games in the country right now.
You should look for games with the highest RTP to maximize your value for your money. RTP is a percentage that measures how much a given game pays out. For example, if you play a game with a 98.5% RTP, it means that for every $100 you spend, you’ll receive $98.50 back. Basically, the higher the RTP, the better you can expect your returns to be.
RTP is a long-term average, not a fixed law. Variance will still exist, so you may see a high RTP game go through extended dry spells or a low RTP title payout with great frequency. It’s also important to understand that a game’s RTP applies regardless of whether you play for free or real money.
To give you an idea of the types of gambling available, here’s a quick overview of gambling in Wyoming.
The gambling laws in Wyoming are surprisingly diverse. On one hand, they were one of the first states to welcome online sports betting within their borders, and the state is also home to multiple tribal casinos.
However, any attempts to legalize online casino gambling have stalled, including the most recent effort, House Bill 162. This legislation would have opened the doors to real-money casinos, but it was tabled amid concerns about its impact on tribal gaming establishments, among other factors.
The national mood regarding gambling seems to be trending towards acceptance, though. More and more states are relaxing their gambling laws, eager to capitalize on the tax revenue that such businesses generate.
There are some notable holdouts, such as Utah, but it seems that legalization is a matter of when, not if, for many states. Time will tell if that’s true for Wyoming as well.
If you’re ready to start playing at an online casino in Wyoming, the first step is to open an account. Luckily, the process is quick and straightforward, and we’ll guide you through exactly what to do below.
Before you can get started at most online casinos, you’ll need to fund your account. Here’s how to get money on and off your online casino of choice:
Once you’re finished, the coins should instantly appear in your account. If not, contact customer support right away.
You may have to use a different method to redeem coins than the one you used to deposit. Most sites allow players to purchase coins using credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies; however, these may not be redeemable for cash. Here are some common options:
To play at an online casino in Wyoming, you must be at least 18 years old and physically within the state’s borders.
However, different sites may have different requirements that they impose as well, so be sure to check the terms and conditions before signing up. Also, many brick-and-mortar casinos in the state require players to be at least 21 years of age.
Players must meet the age requirements for both their state and the site of their choice before playing. Many sites also require you to submit documentation verifying your identity and residency in the state.
Since online casinos aren’t technically legal in Wyoming, no state regulatory agency is set up to oversee them. The Wyoming Gaming Commission oversees all legal gambling in the state. It also issues licenses to approved regulators and mediates disputes between players and casinos.
The state of Wyoming has long been opposed to organized gambling, a stance that contrasts sharply with its attitude toward games of chance previously. Here are a few of the more notable legislative occurrences in the state’s history:
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is allowed.
The Eastern Shoshone tribe successfully sues to be allowed to establish casinos on tribal lands.
The Wyoming Lottery is launched.
Online sports betting becomes legal in the state.
The most recent attempt to legalize online gambling, House Bill 162, stalls due to lack of support.
Currently, the only legal casinos in Wyoming are the four tribal brick-and-mortar establishments, as well as online sweepstakes and social casinos.
However, many residents choose to gamble at offshore betting sites. While these sites aren’t technically legal, there are no penalties for playing at them, and you won’t get in trouble if you choose to do so. Given that some of these casinos have questionable backgrounds and limited oversight, you could still find yourself in a difficult situation.
We typically recommend that Wyoming residents stick to legal alternatives. While these may not offer the same real money opportunities, they’re just as exciting as their offshore counterparts — and much more trustworthy.
Four tribal casinos operate in Wyoming, all of which have opened in the last twenty years. The Wyoming Gaming Commission oversees brick-and-mortar casinos.
Although Little Wind Casino is small, it still packs in plenty of excitement. There are over 160 slots to explore here, offering a slice of Vegas high up in the Rockies. These games include progressive jackpots, so while there may not be many options here, that doesn’t mean you don’t have plenty of chances to hit it big.
The Shoshone Rose is more of a destination than the Little Wind Casino, as it features a luxurious 60-room hotel in addition to its gaming options. Slots are the main attraction in the gaming area, with over 300 titles to choose from, although a few table games, most notably blackjack and poker, are also available.
Wind River is the largest casino in Wyoming, offering the most diverse gambling experience. It offers hundreds of slots and nearly two dozen table games, ensuring plenty of action for everyone. The casino is also home to the Buffalo Sportsbook, which allows you to bet on table games and your favorite sports while enjoying delicious bar food and drinks.
Real-money online casinos aren’t currently legal in Wyoming, but state residents can play their favorite games at sweepstakes and social casinos.
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are currently legal in Wyoming. Follow the links on this page to sign up with one of our recommended sites.
Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preference. However, if you’d like to see a comprehensive list of all the Wyoming online casinos our experts recommend, visit our choices on this page or explore our other sweepstakes reviews.
Yes, social and sweepstakes casinos in Wyoming, as well as legal sports betting sites, are safe. Be careful playing at offshore casinos, though, as many operate with little to no oversight.
Yes, Wyoming casinos offer welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins offers, cashback deals, and more.