L'ente di regolamentazione del gioco del Wyoming inizia la ricerca sui giochi interattivi
Il Dipartimento di Regolamentazione del Gioco del Wyoming ha commissionato uno studio per esaminare le potenzialità per l'espansione delle opzioni di gioco all'interno dello stato, spesso chiamato 'Wyoming'. Hanno ingaggiato Spectrum Gaming Group, un consulente rinomato specializzato in regolamentazione, economia e politiche del gioco, per condurre questo studio.
Nei prossimi mesi, il team di Spectrum analizzera da vicino il panorama del gioco del Wyoming e offrirà suggerimenti per miglioramenti regolamentari e opportunità di espansione. L'analisi si concentrera sulle potenziali vantaggi del gioco interattivo, come le slot machine e i giochi da tavolo online, per lo stato. Lo studio mirera a proporre un quadro regolamentare che permetta il gioco interattivo.
Lo studio sul gioco menzionato e stato autorizzato attraverso il Wyoming's 2024 General Appropriations bill, che ha stanziato fondi per uno studio completo sul gioco a livello statale. Attualmente, il Dipartimento di Regolamentazione del Gioco del Wyoming sovrintende al betting sportivo online, ai giochi basati sull'abilita', alle corse dei cavalli, alle macchine per le corse dei cavalli storiche, alle scommesse parimutuel e al gioco di beneficenza.
Il Wyoming e anche la casa di quattro casinò tribali e una lotteria statale.
Focus sul iGaming
Nel corso di questo studio, Spectrum aiuterà il Dipartimento di Regolamentazione del Gioco del Wyoming a decidere se proporre o meno una legislazione sul iGaming durante la sessione generale del 2025.
Despite its small population of less than 600,000 residents, Wyoming occupies a vast expanse of over 970,000 square miles, making it the 10th largest state by total area. The state's scattered population has deterred commercial casino companies from venturing into Wyoming.
The state's two federally recognized tribes, the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes, manage and operate four land-based casinos on their sovereign lands. The largest tribal casino, the Northern Arapaho's Wind River Hotel & Casino in Riverton, features 700 slots and over a dozen table games.
Although Wyoming's population is modest, the state's approval of commercial online sports betting attracted heavyweights like FanDuel and DraftKings. Other mobile sportsbooks that paid the $100,000 licensing fee for a five-year permit include BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and Fanatics. Previously, Penn Entertainment operated Barstool Sportsbook in the state.
The winnings of the oddsmakers are subject to a 10% state tax. On average, the state collects over $100,000 per month from online sports betting. Sports betting is also permitted at the tribal casinos.
Each of the mentioned online sportsbooks operates online casinos where licensed. FanDuel and DraftKings offer iGaming in Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, and West Virginia.
iGaming Boom
Sports betting is a narrow-margin business, but online casino gaming offers a different story. In states currently offering both online sports wagering and internet casinos, most tax iGaming revenues more heavily than sports wagering revenues.
For instance, online sportsbook revenue in New Jersey is subject to a 13% tax, whereas iGaming is taxed at 15%. In Pennsylvania, sportsbooks yield 36% of their revenue to the state, while online slots are taxed at 54%.
With higher revenues and likely a higher tax rate than the 10% tax imposed on online sportsbooks in Wyoming, iGaming could generate a much more substantial financial gain for the state. Wyoming Department of Gaming Regulation Executive Director Charles Moore suggests that the Spectrum study will help the commission weigh the pros and cons of iGaming.
"We believe that iGaming has the potential to bring substantial benefits to our state, but we also recognize the importance of a comprehensive and unbiased analysis to inform our decision-making process," said Moore. "By collaborating with Spectrum Gaming Group, we are confident that we will receive valuable insights and recommendations that will aid us in navigating this dynamic industry."
As of now, legal iGaming is only available in seven states — Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
The Spectrum Gaming Group's study on expanding gaming options in Wyoming might include discussions on the potential impact of iGaming news, such as the financial benefits and regulatory considerations. With the approval of commercial online sports betting in Wyoming, there's interest in exploring the possibility of legalizing iGaming, as seen in other states with substantial revenue from online casino gaming.
