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Committee approves bill directing half of online sports wagering revenue to outdoor recreation trust fund
Summary
The committee approved a working draft to direct half of sports‑wagering proceeds (after the first $300,000 for problem gambling) to the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund income account; gaming commission testimony showed recent annual tax revenue ranged from $124,000 in 2021 to $1.4 million in 2024.
CHEYENNE, Aug. 19 — The Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee voted to advance a draft that would redirect a portion of online sports wagering tax revenue to the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF).
Under the draft, after the first $300,000 annually designated for problem‑gambling programs at the Department of Health, half of the remainder would go to the ORTTF income account and half would continue to the general fund. Brian Fuller of the Legislative Service Office said the change would increase available project funding without altering the $300,000 problem‑gambling allocation.
“This would provide that one half of those remaining revenues after the first $300,000 would go to the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund income account,” Fuller said while walking committee members through the draft.
Nick Lehi Mindy, executive director of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, provided five‑year revenue figures to the committee: tax revenues would have been $124,000 in 2021, $843,000 in 2022, about $1.1 million in 2023 and $1.4 million in 2024; year‑to‑date 2025 receipts were about $880,000 through the reporting date in August. Mindy noted volatility but said the series shows a positive trend.
Department staff and committee members discussed whether the draft should specify uses inside ORTTF or keep the money in the trust’s income account so the trust board could incorporate it into grant rounds. Chris Floyd of State Parks and Cultural Resources told lawmakers that the ORTTF grants are likely to be oversubscribed when the program begins and that any additional revenue would be welcomed.
The committee voted in favor of the draft on a roll call, 12‑1‑1 (one no, one excused). Chairman Landon recorded an aye vote and the LSO staff confirmed the tally.
What’s next: The draft was approved by the committee for further consideration; the department and trust board would decide how to integrate the additional revenue if the bill becomes law.
Sources: Brian Fuller (LSO), Nick Lehi Mindy (Wyoming Gaming Commission), Chris Floyd (State Parks).
