Wyoming Gaming Commission

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 11, ch. 25
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-101 Wyoming gaming commission created; composition; qualifications.

The Wyoming gaming commission is created to be composed of nine (9) persons who have resided in the state for four (4) years and are qualified electors of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-102 Definitions.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "Breeder award" means monies collected pursuant to W.S. 11-25-201(j) and distributed by the commission to promote the improved breeding and development of the horse industry in Wyoming. Breeder awards may include purse enhancement of Wyoming bred races; (ii) "Commission" means the Wyoming gaming commission; (iii) "Drug" means any substance foreign to a horse's body as prescribed by the commission; (iv) "Event" means a pari-mutuel event; (v) "Pari-mutuel event" means the events which are authorized by the commission for the conduct of horse racing (to include quarter horse, thoroughbred or other approved races), harness racing, cutter racing, chariot racing, chuckwagon racing, professional roping and rodeo events and simulcasting of dog racing and the events described in this paragraph as prescribed by the commission. Notwithstanding W.S. 6-7-101(a)(iv) and 11-25-203, the commission may authorize and promulgate rules providing for pari-mutuel wagering on events that have previously occurred, utilizing an electronic system or device that affords an opportunity for the exercise of skill or judgment where the outcome is not completely controlled by chance alone; (vi) "Pari-mutuel wagering" means wagering on the outcome of pari-mutuel events in which those who wager purchase tickets of various denominations on entrants in the events and all wagers for each event are pooled and held by the permittee for distribution, and when the outcome of the event has been decided, the permittee distributes the total wagers comprising the pool, less an amount not greater than twenty-five and nine-tenths percent (25.90%) for live racing and in the event of simulcasting an amount not to exceed the percentage allowed at the host track or thirty-five percent (35%), whichever is less and less the amount for breakage to holders of tickets on the winning entries; (vii) "Simulcasting" means the sale of pari-mutuel pools electronically transmitted live or historic on interstate or intrastate pari-mutuel events as prescribed by the commission; (A) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 72, § 3. (B) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 72, § 3. (C) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 72, § 3. (D) Repealed by Laws 2026, ch. 72, § 3. (viii) "This act" means W.S. 11-25-101 through 11-25-306; (ix) "Multiple wagering" means wagers which consist of a single betting interest on two (2) entries; (x) "Exotic wagering" means wagers which consist of a single betting interest on three (3) or more entries; (xi) "Advance deposit pari-mutuel wager" means a wager in which a person who has opened an account in advance with a licensee can place wagers from this account in person, by telephone or other electronic means; (xii) "Horsemen's association" means the association that represents the majority of the owners and trainers licensed by the commission to race horses at an event; (xiii) "Out-of-state simulcast facility" means a track or other facility, located within a jurisdiction other than Wyoming, at which pari-mutuel wagers are placed, accepted or distributed, either in person or electronically, on simulcast races pursuant to proper authorization under the laws of that jurisdiction; (xiv) "Source market fee" means a license fee, assessed by the commission pursuant to W.S. 11-25-201(m), payable by out-of-state simulcast facilities that conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast races and that accept wagers from Wyoming residents by telephone or other electronic means at those facilities; (xv) "Net proceeds" means all revenue less the payment to the player; (xvi) "Establishment" means a single physical place of business that operates as a truck stop, smoke shop or that is licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic liquor or malt beverages for consumption on the licensed or permitted premises under W.S. 12-2-203(g), 12-4-201, 12-4-301, 12-4-401, 12-4-407, 12-4-413, 12-4-414 or 12-4-415; (xvii) "Operator" means a person who possesses and operates an establishment where skill based amusement games may be played for profit; (xviii) "Skill" means a player's knowledge, dexterity or any other ability or expertise relevant to game play; (xix) "Skill based amusement game" means a game played in exchange for consideration of cash, credit or other thing of value on a fixed, commercial electrical gaming device in which the bona fide skill of the player, determined by an individual's level of strategy and skill, rather than any inherent element of chance, is the primary factor in determining the outcome and for which the player may be awarded a prize or other thing of value for a successful outcome. "Skill based amusement game" shall not include any game played for prizes of nominal value as provided by rule of the commission; (xx) "Vendor" means a person who owns and distributes a skill based amusement game to an operator for profit; (xxi) "Truck stop" means a business premises that is: (A) Equipped with diesel islands used for fueling commercial motor vehicles and that sells on average one hundred twenty-five thousand (125,000) gallons of diesel or biodiesel fuel each month based on the previous twelve (12) months of sales; and (B) Located on a parcel of land of not less than two (2) acres that is either owned or leased by the business and which includes a convenience store with parking spaces dedicated to commercial motor vehicle use. (xxii) "Smoke shop" means a retailer as defined in W.S. 14-3-301(a)(iii) that derives fifty percent (50%) or more of its gross annual revenue from nicotine products as defined by W.S. 14-3-301(a)(vi); (xxiii) "Local approving authority" means the local authority with responsibility to approve, deny or revoke a site-specific application or renewal for a simulcasting permit issued by the commission; (xxiv) "Local authority" means the governing body of a city, town or county in Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-103 Gaming commission; appointment, terms of office and political affiliation of members; vacancies; appointment districts.

The governor with the consent of the senate shall appoint the nine (9) members of the commission in accordance with W.S. 28-12-101 through 28-12-103. Seven (7) of the nine (9) members shall be appointed from each appointment district under W.S. 9-1-218. One (1) of the remaining members shall be, at the time of appointment and during the term of appointment, an active county or municipal law enforcement officer certified under title 9, chapter 1, article 7 of the Wyoming statutes. One (1) of the remaining members shall be an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone Indian tribe with not less than five (5) years of regulatory gaming experience. Members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years and until their successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the governor as provided in W.S. 28-12-101. A member of the commission may succeed himself for one (1) full four (4) year term. The governor may remove any member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. Additionally, one (1) senator appointed by the president of the senate, one (1) representative appointed by the speaker of the house and one (1) gubernatorial representative shall serve as liaisons to the commission. Legislative liaisons shall be paid salary, per diem and mileage as provided in W.S. 28-5-101 when attending meetings of the commission.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-104 Gaming commission; officers; director; meetings; quorum; records; licenses generally; effect of financial interest in events.

(a) The commission shall annually elect from its membership a president and vice-president, and may employ a director who has a working knowledge of pari-mutuel betting, horse racing and other forms of gaming regulated by the commission or an executive secretary, or both. The director may be retained on a yearly basis or for the racing season only as determined by the commission. Salary for the director or executive secretary shall be determined by the commission with the consent of the personnel division. The commission may also employ other personnel required to carry out this act. (b) The commission shall hold an annual fall meeting in Wyoming and shall hold special meetings at such times and places within Wyoming as the majority of the members determine. A majority of the commission constitutes a quorum and a majority vote of a quorum may act for the commission. The secretary of the commission shall keep a record of the proceedings of the commission which is open at all times for public inspection. Legislative liaisons shall be considered members of the governing body of the commission for purposes of attending executive sessions held pursuant to W.S. 16-4-405(a) only. (c) Any member of the commission who has a personal or private interest in any matter proposed or pending before the commission shall publicly disclose this fact to the commission and shall not vote on the matter. (d) Any member of the commission who owns or has any interest, or whose spouse or member of his immediate family has any interest, in any activity regulated by the commission or in an animal participating in a pari-mutuel event shall disclose that interest and shall not participate in any commission decision involving a protest regarding that activity or occurring at that pari-mutuel event. (e) The commission may authorize by license or permit and supervise all the conduct of all events provided for and regulated by this act. The commission may make reasonable rules for the control, supervision and direction of applicants, permittees and licensees. The rules shall include procedures for resolving scheduling conflicts and settling disputes between permittees, for the supervising, disciplining, suspending, fining and barring from pari-mutuel events of all persons required to be licensed or permitted by this act, and for the holding, conducting and operating of all pari-mutuel events pursuant to this act. The rules shall include requirements for internal controls for all aspects of pari-mutuel wagering, including procedures for system integrity, system security, operations and accounting. The commission may require that license applicants be fingerprinted for identification purposes as a condition of licensing. The commission shall announce the place, time and duration of pari-mutuel events for which license or permit fees shall be required and establish reasonable fees for all licenses and permits provided for by this act. The fees shall be established to ensure that the costs of administering this act are recovered through the total revenues received under this act. The commission shall establish security access safeguards for licensees to use for advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering. The commission shall prohibit advance deposit pari-mutuel advertising that it determines to be deceptive to the public. (f) Each permittee, licensee, any current and prospective employee, volunteer and contract employee of a permittee or licensee and each person who has access to restricted areas or animals housed on permitted event grounds for horse racing or for pari-mutuel activities shall be licensed by the commission and shall comply with all rules and regulations and all orders issued by the commission. No person shall hold any event with pari-mutuel wagering without obtaining a permit. The commission may require that all permittees, licensees, current and prospective employees, volunteers and contract employees of a permittee or licensee and each person who has access to restricted areas or animals housed on permitted event grounds for horse racing or for pari-mutuel activities submit fingerprints to the Wyoming division of criminal investigation to perform a criminal history background check pursuant to W.S. 7-19-201 in order to obtain state and national criminal history record information. The division may share the results of the criminal history background check with the commission pursuant to W.S. 7-19-106(a)(xxxv). For purposes of this subsection, permittees, licensees, current and prospective employees, volunteers and contract employees of a permittee or licensee, shall include the following as defined: (i) "Assistant starter" means a person who handles a horse in the starting gate on race day and during training; (ii) "Assistant trainer" means a person who is designated by the trainer to make decisions on behalf of the trainer during the trainer’s absence; (iii) "Clerk of scales" means a person whose primary responsibility is to weigh the riders before and after a race to ensure proper weight is carried; (iv) "Commission or permittee employee" means a person who is an employee that by virtue of their required duties has access to restricted areas of the permitted event grounds or has access to information that is limited by law or confidential in nature and could effectuate or manipulate wagering activity or wagering information; (v) "Commission safety officer" means a person who is employed by the commission to monitor activities and practices in the stable area, barn area and on the racetrack for compliance with this act and rules of the commission; (vi) "Commission veterinarian" means a Wyoming licensed veterinarian hired directly by the commission; (vii) "Exercise rider" means a person who exercises a horse during a training session; (viii) "Farrier" means a person who provides hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of horses hooves and placing of shoes on hooves, if necessary; (ix) "Groom" means a person who cleans stalls, bathes, brushes and provides general care to a race horse; (x) "Horseman's bookkeeper" means a person whose primary responsibility is to keep and preserve books which will reflect the deposits or other credits and withdrawals or other charges that may be made by an owner or other licensee; (xi) "Host facility" means a person who leases their property to a permitholder to operate or host pari-mutuel wagering; (xii) "Identifier" means a person who verifies the identity of each race horse prior to the race; (xiii) "Jockey" means a person who is a race rider of a horse, including a licensed jockey or an apprentice jockey; (xiv) "Jockey agent" means a person who handles the daily business of a jockey or apprentice; (xv) "Mutuel employee" means a person who acts under the direction of the mutuel managers and sells betting tickets; (xvi) "Mutuel manager" means a person who is an employee of the permittee who manages the mutuel department overseeing all wagering activity; (xvii) "Owner" means a person who is the owner, part owner or lessee of a horse; (xviii) "Paddock judge" means a person who is responsible for the paddock area and saddling routine of the race horses; (xix) "Pari-mutuel service provider" means any business or person providing goods or services to a pari-mutuel permitholder who is required to have access to designated and secured areas of the pari-mutuel event or provides direct services for the support of players or wagering terminals; (xx) "Patrol judge" means a person who observes the progress of a race from various vantage points around the track; (xxi) "Permitholder" means a person or entity holding a permit issued by the Wyoming gaming commission to operate a pari-mutuel facility; (xxii) "Permittee official" means any mutuel manager, steward, events judge, placing judge, patrol judge, paddock judge, clerk of scale, identifier, starter, horsemen bookkeeper, track safety officer, racing secretary and track superintendent who by virtue of their position has unrestricted access to the pari-mutuel event grounds and animals participating; (xxiii) "Placing judge" means a person who posts the order of finish in a race; (xxiv) "Pony rider" means a person that rides a horse while leading another race horse, either during a training session or escorting the race horse to the post on race days; (xxv) "Private practice veterinarian" means a Wyoming licensed veterinarian hired to provide services to owners and trainers; (xxvi) "Racing secretary" means a person who drafts conditions of races and assigns weights for handicap events; (xxvii) "Security employee" means a person who is responsible for the protection of property, people, acting in accordance with the permittee's guidelines; (xxviii) "Service provider employee" means a person who is an employee of the pari-mutuel service providers who provide additional support to the vendor; (xxix) "Starter" means a person who is responsible for the official dispatching of horses for a race; (xxx) "Steward or event judge" means a person who is the head event official, or their designee, charged with the duty of making sure the events comply with this act and the rules of the commission; (xxxi) "Track safety officer" means a person who monitors the paddock and racetrack areas during all training and racing hours for safety related issues; (xxxii) "Track superintendent" means a person who is responsible for all track maintenance, ensuring that the track surface is properly groomed and prepared for training and racing hours; (xxxiii) "Trainer" means a person who is engaged in the training of race horses; (xxxiv) "Valet" means a person who assists in the saddling of horses for the jockeys in a pari-mutuel event; (xxxv) "Veterinarian assistant" means a person who is hired by a commission veterinarian or a private practice veterinarian to assist in providing veterinarian services under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. (g) The commission may delegate authority to enforce rules of the commission and this act to three (3) stewards at each live pari-mutuel event, at least one (1) of whom shall be an employee of and selected by the commission. Stewards shall exercise such reasonable and necessary authority as is designated by rules of the commission including the following: (i) Enforce rules of the commission and this act; (ii) Rule on the outcome of events; (iii) Levy fines not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for violations of rules of the commission. Violations shall be reported daily and fines paid to the commission within forty-eight (48) hours of imposition and notice; (iv) Suspend licenses not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days for violations of rules of the commission. Suspensions shall be reported to the commission daily; (v) Recommend the commission impose fines or suspensions greater than permitted by paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of this subsection. (h) Only a licensed steward of the permitted event may impose fines or license suspensions except that a starter may impose fines when horses arrive at the gate until off time in an amount not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00). (j) Any fine or license suspension imposed by a steward or fine imposed by a starter may be appealed in writing to the commission within five (5) days after its imposition. The commission may affirm or reverse the decision of a steward or starter or may increase or decrease any fine or suspension. A fine imposed by the commission shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). Suspensions of a license may be for any period of time, but shall be commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. (k) The commission shall access criminal history record information for all operators and vendors under article 3 of this chapter and all licensees, permittees and employees of the commission under W.S. 9-1-627(d) for the purposes of this act. Every applicant for a permit or license under this act shall provide the commission fingerprints and other information necessary for a criminal history record background check as provided under W.S. 7-19-201. (m) The commission shall establish the number of actual live horse racing or pari-mutuel event days required to qualify for a simulcasting permit. The commission shall adopt rules governing establishment of live horse racing or pari-mutuel event days required for a simulcasting permit in a manner that ensures fair and equitable involvement of all affected parties, including consideration of the economic viability of those days to permit applicants. (n) Commencing July 1, 2020, any person conducting an activity as specified by W.S. 6-7-101(a)(iii)(D) or (F) shall first obtain a license from the commission. Under this subsection, the commission shall not charge license applicants any fee and shall not require any fee for any license issued. Any person required to be licensed under this subsection shall file an annual report with the commission as specified by rule. (o) In addition to all other duties, the commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall: (i) Enforce W.S. 6-7-101 through 6-7-104; (ii) Regulate online sports wagering and sports wagering operators and vendors under W.S. 9-24-101 through 9-24-106.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-201 Pari-mutuel permits; fees and reports; disposition of funds; enforcement of provisions.

(a) The commission may issue pari-mutuel permits for a specified period not to exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance to any Wyoming county, city, incorporated town, county fair board or any corporation or association that has been approved by the board of county commissioners, except as provided for simulcasting permits in W.S. 11-25-210, and that provides a bond acceptable to the commission. No permit shall be granted to any city, town, county, county fair board or any corporation or association except upon the express condition that it shall not, by any lease, contract, understanding or arrangement of whatever kind or nature, grant, assign or turn over to any person, corporation or association the operation or management of the pari-mutuel event permitted under this act or of the pari-mutuel system of wagering or in any manner permit any person, corporation or association to retain any of the money received for admission to the race meeting or from the operations of the pari-mutuel system. The commission shall revoke the permit of any permittee for any violation of the foregoing condition and such acts are a violation of this act. The permit is effective only for the times and at the places for which issued. In addition to all other fees and charges, there shall be charged before issuance of a permit a daily fee established by the commission to defray expenses of enforcing this act. (b) Every Wednesday following any pari-mutuel event, the permittee shall: (i) File a report with the commission showing the total amount of money wagered during the period; (ii) Pay an amount equal to one-quarter percent (1/4%) of the total amount wagered attributable to historic pari-mutuel events and one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) of the total amount wagered attributable to live pari-mutuel events, shown by the report to the commission, to be credited by the state treasurer to a separate account, in the manner indicated in subsection (d) of this section; (iii) Pay an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the total amount wagered attributable to historic pari-mutuel events, shown by the report to the commission, to be transferred by the commission to the county and the city or town in which the permittee is located, in equal shares, or to the county alone if the permittee is not located within the boundaries of a city or town. The county, city or town receiving an amount under this paragraph may credit that amount to the state fair account upon a majority vote of the county's, city's or town's governing body; and (iv) Pay an amount equal to one-quarter percent (1/4%) of the total amount wagered attributable to historic pari-mutuel events, shown by the report to the commission, to be credited to the legislative stabilization reserve account. (c) The permittee may retain an amount equal to nineteen and four-tenths percent (19.40%) of the total amount wagered shown by the report and may retain up to an additional five percent (5%) of the amount wagered on multiple or exotic wagers. The permittee shall retain the breakage on not more than ten cents ($.10) and retain unclaimed tickets not claimed within one (1) year following the event for the expenses of the race meet and purses and for the promotion of the racing industry. (d) All sums paid to the commission under this act except contributions from permittees to the breeder award fund, amounts paid under paragraphs (b)(iii) and (iv) of this section, fines and penalties shall be credited to the pari-mutuel account which shall be used by the commission for the payment of all expenses incurred in enforcing this act. On a quarterly basis, the commission shall transfer amounts within the account in excess of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00) to the state treasurer for credit to the legislative stabilization reserve account. All fines and penalties collected under this act shall be paid to the state treasurer and credited as provided in W.S. 8-1-109. The state treasurer shall pay out of the account all warrants drawn by the state auditor, upon vouchers issued and signed by the president, vice-president or executive secretary of the commission. The commission shall keep an accurate and true account of all funds received and all vouchers issued by the commission. All funds received and all vouchers issued by the commission shall be audited at least biennially by the director of the state department of audit or his designee and a copy of the audit shall be delivered within thirty (30) days after completion to the governor and the commission. The costs of the audit shall be borne by the commission. The members of the commission shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in W.S. 33-1-302(a)(vii), and compensation of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each day during which they are actually engaged in the discharge of their duties. The total expenses incurred by the commission shall not exceed the total amount in the pari-mutuel account. (e) Applications for permits shall be made to the commission and shall fully identify the applicant, include a proper financial statement showing the financial responsibility of the applicant, show the purpose and use of the permit and describe the events to be conducted and the arrangements therefor, the manner of wagering and the names and identification of those to supervise the manner of wagering and the controls and supervision by the permittee. (f) The commission may issue, amend or refuse to issue permits in its discretion. (g) The rules of racing set forth by the commission shall be made available to all participants of each event, and violations shall be misdemeanors punishable as provided herein. (h) The commission shall observe and supervise the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering under permits issued by the commission and shall appoint one (1) of its members or employ one (1) or more persons to represent the commission in the administration and enforcement of this act and in the supervision of the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering and the events in connection therewith under each permit issued. Representatives of the commission shall have access to the events and to the pari-mutuel booths and records and shall be paid an amount determined by the commission plus expenses and mileage as fixed by law for state officers, payment therefor to be made by the state auditor. (j) As a condition of receiving a pari-mutuel permit, the permittee shall agree to and shall contribute to the breeder award fund administered by the commission an amount equal to four-tenths of one percent (0.40%) of the total handle wagered during the pari-mutuel event and an additional sum equal to twenty percent (20%) of the additional amount retained pursuant to subsection (c) of this section on multiple or exotic wagers. The contribution shall be derived from the net proceeds of the race meet revenues, other than the permittee's share of the pari-mutuel wagering handle. Contributions shall be used only for breeder awards. (k) The commission may authorize advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering at any premise where a pari-mutuel event is authorized, provided that the licensee shall: (i) Only accept an advance deposit pari-mutuel wager made by the person owning the account; (ii) Ensure the identification of the account owner by using methods and technologies approved by the commission; (iii) Provide a full accounting and verification of the sources of wagers at the request of, and in the form provided by, the commission; (iv) Allow the commission and agents of the commission access to its premises to determine that the rules and regulations are being followed; (v) Not allow minors to open, own or have access to advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering accounts; (vi) Include a statement in all forms of advertising for advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering accounts that "minors are not allowed to open or have access to advance deposit pari-mutuel wagering accounts." (m) The commission may license, regulate and charge a source market fee to persons outside of Wyoming who conduct pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast races and who accept wagers from Wyoming residents at out-of-state simulcast facilities, and shall require out-of-state simulcast facilities licensed under this section to be maintained and operated in accordance with the laws of this state and rules of the commission. Source market fees imposed on persons licensed under this subsection shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross receipts of all pari-mutuel wagering by Wyoming residents conducted by such persons at out-of-state simulcast facilities. Source market fees collected annually under this subsection shall be distributed as follows: (i) Seventy-five percent (75%) to the live flat track permittees in this state on a number of live days basis, to be used to enhance purses at those tracks; (ii) Ten percent (10%) to in-state Wyoming simulcast permittees, weighted by the annual simulcast handle other than the advanced deposit wagering handle; (iii) Ten percent (10%) to the breeder award fund created under subsection (j) of this section; and (iv) Five percent (5%) to the commission for administrative expenses.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-202 Qualifications as to horses; preference to Wyoming bred horses.

(a) Every horse entered in any race authorized by a permit issued under this act shall be a thoroughbred horse which means any horse (including mare, gelding, colt and filly) that meets the requirements of and is registered by the Jockey Club of New York, including racing permits issued to foreign thoroughbred horses, or registered as an American quarter horse in the official stud book and registry of the American Quarter Horse Association, or registered as one (1) of another breed which maintains a recognized national stud book and registry. (b) Every permittee conducting a pari-mutuel event shall provide each day for the running of at least one (1) race preferred to Wyoming bred horses if Wyoming bred horses are available.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-203 Horses to race under true name; substitution of horses, concealment of identification, prohibited.

Every horse participating in any event authorized by a permit issued under this act shall participate under its true and registered name, shall be fully and truly identified and shall not participate under any other name or identification. There shall be no substitution of horses nor shall any device whatsoever be used to conceal or confuse the name and identification of any horse.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-204 Stimulation or retardation of animals prohibited; tests.

It is unlawful for any person to use or permit to be used any mechanical or electrical device, or drug of any kind, to stimulate or retard any animal in any event authorized by this act except as prescribed by the commission. A commission member, a roping judge or race steward may cause such tests to be made as they deem proper to determine whether any animal has been stimulated or retarded. Tests performed in furtherance of this section shall be conducted by or under the supervision of a qualified Wyoming veterinarian.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-205 Bribery, touting and betting by minors prohibited.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to give or promise to give or attempt to give or for any person to receive or agree to receive or attempt to receive, any money, bribe or thing of value with intent to influence any person to dishonestly umpire, manage, direct, judge, preside, officiate at or participate in any event conducted under this act with the intention or purpose that the result of the event will be affected or influenced thereby. Violation of this subsection is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both. (b) Any person who knowingly and designedly persuades, procures or causes, or attempts to persuade, procure or cause another person to wager on an animal or roper in any event authorized by this act and asks or demands compensation as a reward for information or purported information given in such case is guilty of unlawful touting. The representative of the commission may exclude from attendance at or near any event authorized by this act any person who has been convicted of touting and any person who refuses to leave when ordered to do so by the representative is guilty of a misdemeanor. (c) No person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall place or be allowed to place a bet. (d) Any person who has been convicted of bookmaking, bribery, touting or drugging animals may be evicted from a pari-mutuel event by a steward or roping judge.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-206 County elections as to pari-mutuel events.

No pari-mutuel event shall be held in any county until the question has been put to the people of the county to accept or reject pari-mutuel wagering. If the election fails no other election shall be held for two (2) years.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-207 Bond of permittees; required; conditions; prosecution of actions.

(a) The commission may require any permittee other than a political subdivision licensed to conduct an event to provide and deliver to the commission a bond signed by a surety company authorized to do business in this state in such form and amount as specified by the commission, or certificate of deposit, or irrevocable letter of credit, but not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), conditioned that the permittee will pay to the state of Wyoming all monies due it under this act and will perform such other obligations as may be imposed by the commission. (b) The county attorney of the county in which an event is held shall prosecute all action on the bonds on behalf of the state against any permittee for any reason whatever except a cause of action covered by public liability insurance.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-208 Penalties.

(a) Any person holding or conducting any pari-mutuel event in connection with the pari-mutuel system of wagering without a permit issued in accordance with this act, or any person who violates any other provision of this act is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. (b) The attorney general may, at the request of the commission, act on behalf of the commission to prosecute criminal actions under this chapter or title 6, chapter 7, article 1 of the Wyoming statutes if after a thorough investigation the action is deemed advisable by the attorney general.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-209 Removal of livestock from quarters at county or state fairs.

At no time and under no conditions shall any livestock at any county or state fair that are there to be shown be removed from quarters provided for them in order to place pari-mutuel horses in the stalls or quarters. Removal shall be cause for rescinding the permit for the pari-mutuel event.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-210 Simulcasting permits; rulemaking; local approval; permit conditions; revocation; judicial review.

(a) Simulcasting shall be conducted only by a person holding a simulcasting permit issued by the commission and approved by the local approving authority under this section. (b) The commission shall promulgate rules for simulcasting that are reasonably necessary to protect the public interest. (c) A simulcasting permit is a type of pari-mutuel event permit and, except as specifically provided for in this section, is subject to the same terms and conditions, and shall be issued and renewed by the commission in the same manner as pari-mutuel event permits issued under this act. (d) A simulcasting permit issued or renewed by the commission off the permitted premises shall be subject to the following: (i) If the simulcasting will be conducted within the corporate limits of any city or town the permit or renewal shall be subject to approval by the governing body of that city or town, subject to paragraph (iii) of this subsection; (ii) If the simulcasting will be conducted outside the corporate limits of any city or town the permit or renewal shall be subject to approval by the board of county commissioners of the county in which the simulcasting will be conducted, subject to paragraph (iii) of this subsection; (iii) If the simulcasting will be conducted within the corporate limits of any city or town, the permit or renewal application shall be subject to review and objection by the board of county commissioners of the county in which the simulcasting will be conducted. If the simulcasting will be conducted within one-half (1/2) mile of the corporate limits of any city that has exercised the authority granted under W.S. 15-3-202(b)(ii), the permit or renewal application shall be subject to review and objection by the governing body of that city or town. Any city, town or county that objects under this paragraph shall submit written findings stating the basis for the objection, including impacts on land use, public safety, taxation or other substantial interests. The objection shall be transmitted to the local approving authority within thirty (30) days of the objecting city, town or county receiving the permit or renewal application. An objection shall be deemed addressed once the local approving authority places it on a public agenda, considers the written findings and takes formal action to sustain, modify or overrule the objection. No permit or renewal shall be approved until all timely submitted objections have been addressed; (iv) No simulcasting may be conducted within one hundred (100) miles of any live pari-mutuel event permitted under this act during the time the event is being held, except that the commission may waive the one hundred (100) mile limitation if the simulcasting permitholder obtains written approval from the live pari-mutuel event permitholder conducting the event; (v) A simulcasting permit or renewal shall be issued by the commission only to an applicant authorized under this act to conduct a pari-mutuel event other than simulcasting; (vi) Except as provided by paragraph (e)(ii) of this section, counties, towns and municipalities shall not charge a monetary fee to obtain a simulcasting permit or renewal that exceeds the actual costs of issuing the permit or renewal. (e) An applicant for a simulcasting permit or renewal shall: (i) File an application for approval with the local approving authority. Renewal applications shall be filed not later than ninety (90) days prior to expiration of the permit; (ii) At the time of filing the application, pay an amount sufficient to reimburse the actual cost of publishing notice of the application; (iii) Identify in the application the specific location in the city, town or county where simulcasting will be conducted and the number of historic horse racing terminals to be permitted at that location. (f) After receipt of an approval or renewal application, the local approving authority shall promptly prepare and publish notice of the application in a newspaper of general circulation in the state once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks and shall post the notice on its official website. The notice shall state that the named applicant has applied for approval or renewal of a simulcasting permit, that protests against the issuance or renewal of the permit, if any, will be heard at a designated meeting of the local approving authority, and shall include the date, time and meeting place of the designated meeting. For a renewal application, the local approving authority shall hold the designated meeting not later than thirty (30) days prior to expiration of the permit. (g) A local approving authority, in considering the approval or renewal of simulcasting permits issued by the commission: (i) Shall not approve or deny an application before the date set for the designated meeting in the published notice of the application; (ii) Shall not consider, modify or impose conditions that are solely within the jurisdiction of the commission; (iii) May impose reasonable conditions on approval or renewal, which shall be negotiated in good faith with the applicant, including the following: (A) A schedule of operating hours for the permitted premises, provided the hours of operation shall not be more restrictive than the hours of operation for alcohol sales set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101 for the holder of a retail liquor license under W.S. 12-4-201; (B) Designation of areas within the permitted premises where historic horse racing terminals may be located, to the extent the designations are not inconsistent with rules of the commission. (iv) May modify any condition imposed under paragraph (iii) of this subsection only upon a showing of good cause; (v) Shall grant approval for the same term as is granted by the commission for the simulcasting permit, if the application is approved; (vi) Shall issue written findings and conclusions if the application is denied; (vii) Shall have the right to revoke approval or deny a renewal only for good cause, which shall be limited to any of the following: (A) A breach of a reasonable condition imposed by the local approving authority or the commission, if the permitholder fails to take reasonable steps to cure the breach within ten (10) business days after receiving written notice of the breach from the local approving authority or the commission, or a date agreed upon by the permitholder and the local approving authority or commission; (B) Notification from the commission that the permitholder has been found in violation of any Wyoming gaming law specified in this chapter, W.S. 6-7-101 through 6-7-104 or 9-24-101 through 9-24-106; (C) Failure to demonstrate commencement of simulcasting at the permitted location within two (2) years after the permit is issued. Upon a showing of good cause by the permitholder, the local approving authority and commission may extend the period for commencement of simulcasting for one (1) additional year; (D) The welfare of the people residing in the vicinity of the permitted premises is adversely and seriously affected by the permitted premises. (h) A simulcasting permitholder may appeal a denial of renewal or revocation of approval by the local approving authority to the district court in the county where the permitted premises are located. (j) An applicant for a new simulcasting permit may appeal a decision of the local approving authority to the district court in the county where the application is filed only if that authority has previously granted approval for a simulcasting permit within its jurisdiction. If the local approving authority has not previously granted an approval for a simulcasting permit, the applicant shall have no right of appeal from the decision of the local approving authority. (k) Subject to the approval of the local approving authority, the transfer of an existing simulcasting permit involving a change of location within the same local approving authority's area of jurisdiction shall be treated as a renewal of a simulcasting permit. A transfer involving a change of location outside of the current local approving authority's area of jurisdiction shall be treated as a new application and shall be subject to all application, review and approval requirements applicable to a new simulcasting permit.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-301 Skill based amusement games authorization; commission authority; applicability.

(a) Skill based amusement games operating in the state in accordance with the provisions of 2020 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 114 shall be allowed to continue operation in accordance with the requirements of this article and rules of the commission. (b) A skill based amusement game that meets the requirements of this article shall be approved by the commission to operate in the state or it shall be removed from the state by the vendor. (c) The commission shall promulgate any necessary rules to administer and enforce this article. The rules may include provisions for the control, supervision, direction, discipline, suspension or fining of any person for violation of this article or rules adopted in accordance with this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-302 Laboratory report required.

(a) Each vendor shall provide for a nationally recognized, independent gaming laboratory approved by the commission to submit to the commission a general functional evaluation laboratory report regarding the software installed on each skill based amusement game indicating whether the skill based amusement game is in compliance with this article. Any skill based amusement game that does not meet the requirements of this article shall immediately be removed from the state by the vendor. (b) Any alterations, modifications or updates to the software or hardware of any skill based amusement game shall require the vendor to submit to the commission a new laboratory report as required under subsection (a) of this section before the game may be used for play at an establishment.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-303 Restrictions on operation of skill based amusement games.

(a) No skill based amusement game shall allow a game play of more than three dollars ($3.00) per play. (b) No skill based amusement game shall allow a payout of more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) per play. (c) No establishment shall have more than four (4) skill based amusement games operating for play at any one (1) time. (d) Skill based amusement games shall only be located for play at an establishment, except as provided in this subsection and subsection (e) of this section. For establishments that are licensed or permitted to sell alcoholic liquor or malt beverages, skill based amusement games shall only be located in the physical area in which alcoholic liquor or malt beverages are offered for sale. An operator shall not locate a skill based amusement game in an area of the establishment into which a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years may enter. An operator shall conspicuously mark each area of the establishment containing a skill based amusement game as an age restricted area. The operator shall not allow a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years to play a skill based amusement game. (e) The following shall apply to establishments lawfully operating under prior law: (i) Any operator who, before September 14, 2022 had a skill based amusement game located at a place of business that does not meet the definition of "establishment" in W.S. 11-25-102(a)(xvi) on April 1, 2023 shall be authorized to continue operating skill based amusement games if the operator otherwise meets the requirements to operate a skill based amusement game; (ii) Any operator who, before April 1, 2026, had a skill based amusement game located at a place of business that does not meet the definition of "establishment" in W.S. 11-25-102(a)(xvi) on April 1, 2026 shall be authorized to continue operating the skill based amusement game subject to the conditions of the existing permit until the term of the permit expires. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this subsection, on and after April 1, 2026, a place of business that does not meet the definition of "establishment" under W.S. 11-25-102(a)(xvi) shall not be eligible for permit renewal.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-304 Required permits and licenses; applicable fees; tax imposition; taxation rate; distribution.

(a) Any person seeking to obtain or renew any license, permit or decal as required under this section shall submit an application to the commission on a form prescribed by the commission. Upon approval of an application by the commission: (i) An operator shall be issued a permit and required to pay an annual fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) to have skill based amusement games operating for play in the operator's establishment; (ii) A vendor shall be issued a license and required to pay an annual fee of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) to possess and distribute skill based amusement games. (b) Skill based amusement games that meet the requirements of this article shall bear a commission issued decal that identifies the vendor of the game. Each decal shall be valid for one (1) year. No skill based amusement game shall be operational unless it bears a current commission issued decal. The commission shall charge the vendor a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for a decal. Each decal shall include the bucking horse and rider emblem. (c) The fees required under subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be paid on or before July 1 of each year and shall be deposited in the commission gaming account created under 2020 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 114 and hereby continued under this subsection. Funds within the account are continuously appropriated to the commission to pay for reasonable expenses incurred to administer this article. (d) Taxes shall be calculated and paid on a weekly basis based on the net proceeds earned during the prior week on skill based amusement games. On a weekly basis, the vendor shall remit to the commission an amount equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the net proceeds earned during the prior week on the vendor's skill based amusement games. The taxes imposed under this subsection may be prepaid as provided by rule of the commission. The commission shall remit these monies to the state treasurer for deposit in the commission gaming account and for distribution of the tax as follows: (i) Forty-five percent (45%) to the county and the city or town in which the skill based amusement game is located, in equal shares, or to the county alone if the skill based amusement game is not located within the boundaries of a city or town; (ii) Forty-five percent (45%) to the public school foundation program account; (iii) Ten percent (10%) to the commission gaming account.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-305 Operator permit, vendor license and skill based amusement game decal approval; criteria; review.

(a) The commission shall, not more than sixty (60) days after the date of receipt of an application or application for renewal for an operator permit, vendor license or skill based amusement game decal under W.S. 11-25-304 either: (i) Issue the permit, license or decal; or (ii) Deny the application based on the grounds that the applicant failed to qualify as provided by subsection (b) of this section. (b) The commission shall deny any application under this article upon finding any of the following: (i) The applicant has been convicted of, forfeited bail on or pleaded guilty within ten (10) years before the date of filing the application to: (A) A crime involving theft, dishonesty or fraud; (B) Bribery or unlawfully influencing a public official; (C) A felony involving physical harm to an individual; or (D) Any other crime identified by commission rules that negatively impacts the applicant's credibility or the security, integrity or fairness of play of skill based amusement games operated by the applicant. (ii) The applicant tampered with submitted documentation or concealed, failed to disclose or otherwise attempted to mislead the commission with respect to any material fact contained in the application or contained in any other information required of or submitted by an applicant to the commission; (iii) The applicant failed or refused to cooperate in the investigation of a crime relating to gambling, corruption of a public official or any organized criminal activity; (iv) The applicant failed to otherwise meet the requirements imposed under this article. (c) Operators shall have a continuing duty to disclose in writing any material change in the information provided in the application to the commission, including: (i) Changes to names and contact information; (ii) Arrests, convictions, guilty pleas, disciplinary actions or license denials in Wyoming and any other jurisdiction; (iii) Any civil action brought against the operator or establishment; and (iv) Any other information required by commission rules. (d) If the commission denies an application or intends to revoke or suspend a license or permit issued under this article, it shall notify the applicant, licensee or permittee in writing, stating the grounds for denial, revocation or suspension and informing the person of a right to submit, before not more than thirty (30) days, any additional documentation relating to the grounds of denial, revocation or suspension. Upon receiving any additional documentation, the commission shall reconsider its decision and inform the applicant before not more than twenty (20) days of the result of the reconsideration. A denial of an application under this article shall be subject to the contested case procedures of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-25-306 Penalties.

Any person who violates any provision of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. Each violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title11.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026

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