Wyoming Sweepstakes Poker Ban Proposal Would Make Operating Sites a Felony

By Sandra Gaweda | October 15, 2026 | 3 min read

Wyoming lawmakers have advanced draft 27LSO-0098, which would make operating certain online casino-style sweepstakes games, including poker, a felony.
The proposal would carry penalties of up to three years in prison but expressly excludes people participating solely as players.
Global Poker owner VGW has pushed back against the proposal, arguing that it is overly broad.
Wyoming has no state-regulated real-money online poker sites, raising concerns about how a ban could affect players’ options.

Wyoming’s proposed sweepstakes poker ban moved forward earlier this month when the Select Committee on Gaming unanimously advanced an amended version of draft 27LSO-0098, proposing felony penalties for operating certain online sweepstakes games. The proposal is not yet law, but it could affect operators and players alike. With no state-regulated real-money online poker, Wyoming players could face fewer options if sweepstakes platforms withdraw.

Wyoming Proposal Would Make Sweepstakes Poker Operations a Felony

Draft 27LSO-0098 would expand Wyoming’s definition of “professional gambling” to include operating certain online casino and sweepstakes games. The offense would carry up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.

The draft covers certain internet-based games that enable or simulate gambling and involve players risking property or something representing value, including currency, free play, promotional play or an entry, unless otherwise authorized or excluded by state law. This could include sweepstakes poker platforms such as Global Poker, which use free-play and promotional currencies. Businesses knowingly providing supporting services, including payment processing, hosting, geolocation and advertising, could also fall within its scope.

The proposal expressly excludes people participating solely as players.

Why Wyoming Lawmakers Want Tougher Sweepstakes Rules

Wyoming already prohibits online casinos while allowing online sports wagering and fantasy sports. Sweepstakes gaming occupies a legal gray area, with uncertainty over whether the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Unit or Wyoming Gaming Commission should handle complaints. Nicholas Larramendy, head of the commission, told lawmakers the proposal would clarify the law:

“So this bill definitely makes it very clear that this is illegal gambling.”

Meanwhile, legal gambling continues to grow in Wyoming. According to Larramendy, about $2.7 billion was wagered statewide last year, with 2026 on pace to exceed $3 billion.

Lawmakers also considered a regulatory alternative, draft 27LSO-0200, which would have licensed sweepstakes gaming with a minimum age of 21, geolocation, account limits, self-exclusion and spending controls. However, that proposal failed to advance. Our Wyoming poker laws guide provides more information on the state’s existing poker regulations.

The proposal has also drawn opposition from the sweepstakes industry. Bill Gantz, an attorney for Global Poker owner VGW, called the draft “over broad” and said the company has operated online sweepstakes games in Wyoming since 2012.

Other States Are Also Targeting Sweepstakes Poker

Wyoming is not alone in considering tougher restrictions on sweepstakes gaming. Pennsylvania lawmakers are also weighing legislation that would prohibit online sweepstakes games, including poker.

House Bill 2801 would impose fines ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 per violation. However, unlike Wyoming, Pennsylvania already offers state-regulated real-money online poker. The bill remains in the House Gaming Oversight Committee, with the legislative session ending November 30.

We covered the proposal and its potential impact on players in our earlier report, Pennsylvania Bill Would Ban Sweepstakes Poker With Fines Up to $500,000 Per Violation.

What Wyoming’s Sweepstakes Poker Proposal Means for Players

Wyoming’s proposed sweepstakes poker ban would target operators rather than individual players, but its effects could extend to anyone using these platforms. If enacted, the felony penalties could prompt companies such as VGW to withdraw from the state, reducing access to sweepstakes poker in a market without licensed real-money online poker.

For now, nothing has changed for players under this proposal. Draft 27LSO-0098 still needs further legislative consideration, beginning with the Management Council’s decision on whether to sponsor it for the 2027 session. If the proposal advances through the Legislature and becomes law, its current draft sets an effective date of July 1, 2027.

Sandra is a content writer and editor specializing in online poker and iGaming. She covers poker sites, game formats, industry news, and US online poker laws for Legal US Poker Sites.