Wyoming Committee Proposes Tax Rise on Sports Betting

Wyoming lawmakers have proposed to double the sports betting tax rate in the state. That would take it to 20% from 10%.

Since sportsbooks launched in September 2021, the state has collected $3.8 million in taxes on $69 million in sports betting revenue.

The committee also proposed increasing taxes on “skill-based amusement games” to 25% from 20% and the tax on historic horse racing to 2.5% from 1.5%.

Committee Chair Tara Nethercott led the proposals. Nethercott said the state has been “generous to players in this space.”

She also said the state has offered “modest regulation with little oversight.” Nethercott wants to see oversight and revenues that match the industry.

Opponents of the measure said the hikes would harm the solid growth the state’s gambling industry has seen.