The Select Committee on Gaming on Oct. 14 voted to table further action on a draft moratorium that would pause new simulcasting permits, new premises and increases in historic horse‑racing terminals for three years beginning April 1, 2026.

LSO staff described the draft, 26 LSO 1 52, as a temporary prohibition that would “pause new entrance to simulcasting,” pause new locations by existing permit holders and pause additional machines above the number approved on April 1, 2026. Tamara Reble, legislative council staff, told the committee the draft was written as a three‑year pause ending March 31, 2029, and would not stop current, valid renewals from proceeding.

Committee members and witnesses gave several reasons for delaying a decision. Representative John Johnson said the draft would disproportionately affect one entity that had not yet perfected its application, saying, “They would just you might as well just shut them down.” Industry witnesses likewise warned that a moratorium could disrupt investments tied to planned terminals and tracks. Effie Ellis of Cowboy Racing told the committee that, by the companies’ counts, existing operators already had thousands of terminals approved and that Cowboy Racing’s pending application sought only about 282 machines, “literally a tenth of the amount of machines that the other operators currently have been permitted for.”

The Wyoming Gaming Commission’s executive director, Nick Laramendi, told the panel the commission vets permit applications at its annual fall meeting in November and typically needs 60 to 90 days to complete vetting, meaning applicants seeking action near April 1, 2026, would have only a brief window to apply. Laramendi said the commission would not oppose a moratorium in principle but noted staffing limits and process implications.

Local officials and citizens also described community impacts. Riverton Mayor Tim Hancock said he had been surprised to find skill‑game terminals in a local grocery store and told the committee the placement allowed ready public access: “They are just right when you walk in.” Industry representatives said grocery stores were not the intended locations when Wyoming regulated skill games.

After discussion the committee twice considered tabling motions. An initial motion to table failed. Later, members agreed to hold the moratorium draft until the committee could consider it alongside two related bills on simulcasting and local approvals; the committee chair announced the bill would be held over until later in the meeting for further work.

The committee did not adopt the moratorium as drafted on Oct. 14 and directed staff and stakeholders to continue negotiations and to return with amendments or a reworked approach that more narrowly addresses the committee’s concerns and unintended effects on pending projects.