Wyoming gaming revenue surges past billions as Casper considers freeze

CASPER, Wyo. — Gaming in Wyoming saw another year of massive financial growth in 2025, bringing billions of dollars in wagers and millions in revenue to local communities, according to the newly released Wyoming Gaming Commission annual report.

The report’s release comes as the Casper City Council considers pumping the brakes on local gaming expansion. Earlier this week, councilmembers set a June 2 public hearing to evaluate a 180-day moratorium on new historic horse racing establishments. The proposed freeze is designed to give city officials time to evaluate zoning, spacing and buffering rules ahead of July 1, when Senate File 45 goes into effect. Previously handled at the county level, the new law returns control to local municipalities by requiring city approval for such venues.

Historic horse racing remains the heavy hitter in Wyoming gaming. Statewide, bettors wagered $2.49 billion on the electronic machines in 2025, a jump from the $2.11 billion wagered in 2024. That activity has direct benefits for local governments, with nearly $25 million distributed to Wyoming cities and counties.

The City of Casper alone netted roughly $2.3 million from its eight off-track betting locations and 516 active terminals. Meanwhile, Natrona County brought in an additional $2.89 million from the games. Statewide, the commission reported 1,314 active historic horse racing terminals spread across 46 approved locations.

Beyond historic horse racing, online sports wagering and skill-based amusement games also posted big numbers last year. Online sports bettors placed more than $234 million in wagers in 2025 across platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, producing more than $27 million in gross gaming revenue.

At the same time, the state’s 4,115 skill-based amusement games generated $133.7 million in revenue. Those skill games, commonly found in local bars and restaurants, provided an additional $2.75 million to Wyoming municipalities.

During the recent Casper City Council meeting, City Attorney Eric Nelson clarified that the proposed moratorium targets historic horse racing businesses rather than skill-based games.

Traditional racing also contributed to the state’s economy, with a total live horse racing handle of $3.5 million over 54 race days. Simulcast and advanced deposit wagering added roughly $10.1 million in combined wagers.

Wyoming Gaming Commission executive director Nick Larramendy, who briefed the council on the changing regulatory landscape, noted in the annual report that the agency is prioritizing regulatory enforcement and responsible gaming as the industry continues to evolve. As part of the safety initiatives, the commission partnered with idPair in late 2025 to launch a National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for Wyoming residents. The agency also reported a 200% increase in live racing compliance over the last two years after enhanced enforcement and rule changes.

The Wyoming Gaming Commission’s full 2025 report is attached below:

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