Wyoming Tribal Sportsbooks: Game Changer for Online Betting?

• Wyoming sports betting bill HB 299 was approved in the House over a week ago.
• Sitting in the Senate awaiting introduction, if passed, the number of Wyoming sportsbooks online would increase.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Wyoming’s HB 299, which aims to authorize tribal sportsbooks for online sports betting, continues its journey through the state legislature. While the Senate has yet to take action since receiving the bill a week ago, it remains on track and is progressing at a steady pace, already approved in the House.

Wyoming legalized online sports betting in 2021, becoming one of the few states with a mobile-only market.

Currently, a handful of commercial operators dominate the industry, but compared to other states with legal sports betting, the overall handle and tax revenue remain relatively modest. With no brick and mortar sportsbooks and only a few online platforms available, the market has room for growth.

This is where tribal sportsbooks could introduce a fresh dynamic, increasing competition and driving further engagement among bettors.

How HB 299 Alters Wyoming’s Sports Betting Laws

The bill expands the definition of “qualified gaming entities” to include the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes of the Wind River Reservation.

This legal shift would allow them to launch their own online sportsbooks, operating alongside existing commercial providers like BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings.

Additionally, HB 299 makes key adjustments to geolocation requirements, ensuring that tribal sportsbooks are included in the state’s broader online wagering framework while maintaining compliance with federal gaming laws.

The potential impact of this bill extends far beyond just legal expansion—it could create a revenue source for Wyoming’s tribal nations. The Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes stand to benefit significantly, gaining the ability to operate online sportsbooks that could generate consistent income while promoting economic self-sufficiency.

Challenges and Competition

While HB 299 presents new opportunities, there are also potential hurdles. Commercial sportsbook operators will likely push back against the legal Wyoming sports betting expansion, fearing that tribal competition could impact their market share.

Additionally, regulatory oversight will play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth integration of tribal sportsbooks within Wyoming’s existing online betting infrastructure. The tribes will need to navigate compliance requirements while marketing their platforms effectively to bettors who are already familiar with existing sportsbooks.

As HB 299 progresses, its implications extend well beyond legal sports betting—it’s about empowering Wyoming’s tribal communities with a reliable economic engine while expanding options for bettors across the state.

If the bill passes, it could serve as a model for other states looking to integrate tribal gaming into their online sports betting landscape.

News tags: Eastern Shoshone Tribe | Northern Arapaho Tribe | Wind River | Wind River Reservation | WY HB 299 | Wyoming