Lawmakers in Wyoming are to assess a new bill that aims to legalize online and mobile sports wagering in the US state.
Sponsored by Representative Tom Walters and Senator Ogden Driskill, House Bill 0225 was introduced in the Wyoming House yesterday (February 12).
HB 0225 only refers to online and mobile sports betting, with the aim of opening a regulated market no later than January 1, 2021. Players aged 18 or over would be able to place legal bets on sports inside Wyoming.
Operators seeking to secure a licence in the state would have to pay an initial fee of $20,000. These permits would be valid for a period of 12 months, after which license-holders would face an annual renewal fee of $10,000.
Licensees would be subject to a 16% tax rate on monthly online sports wagering revenue. This would be payable no later than the fifth day of each month, with the tax collected to be deposited in the general fund.
Wagers covered by the bill include single game bets, teaser bets, parlays, over-under, moneyline, pools, exchange wagering, in‑game wagering, in‑play bets, proposition bets and straight bets.
Operators found to be offering online sports wagering in Wyoming without the relevant licence would face a civil penalty of $5,000 on the first offence. For the second or subsequent offense, operators would be handed a civil penalty of $10,000.
At present, Wyoming only permits online horse and greyhound racing bets, as well as fantasy sports contests.