Evanston council approves letter supporting Wyoming Downs' proposed gaming facility

The Evanston City Council voted to approve a letter of support for Wyoming Downs LLC to submit to the Wyoming Gaming Commission for a proposed off‑track video (OTV) facility within Evanston.

The measure won passage by voice vote after the project's representative, Fred Rhodes, described how state rules and county approvals interact with municipal permitting. Rhodes said the industry is seeking local letters so the gaming commission can gauge community support.

Rhodes told the council that under current Wyoming law a historic “100‑mile” rule has limited operation of some related facilities and that a county resolution that once contained a three‑mile restriction has been revoked. He said legislation under consideration would allow cities and towns to have a permitting role for OTVs inside corporate limits, but that, today, licensing is primarily handled by the county and the state gaming commission.

Council members asked about local impacts. Councilor Sellers said he was “concerned about how bright it's gonna be,” noting bedrooms that face the proposed site and saying he worried about traffic impacts on a nearby road. Rhodes said the operator had submitted a zoning application and that traffic, signage, liquor licensing and other issues would be handled in the planning and zoning process.

Councilwoman Hegben urged the operator to produce a public benefit statement and to liaise with Main Street businesses. “Statistically, businesses benefit each other,” she said, asking that the operator outline expected tourism and economic value for local merchants.

Rhodes estimated the project could bring “about 2 to 2 and a half million dollars to Evanston on an annual basis, with construction being completed in 2027,” and described workforce benefits the operator expects when the facility opens.

After discussion the council moved to approve and send the letter of support; the motion passed on a voice vote. No roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The operator and council members agreed zoning, traffic studies and lighting will be handled through the normal planning process and that the letter is intended to indicate municipal support to the gaming commission, not to resolve zoning or licensing questions.

The council’s action does not itself grant permits or licenses; those remain subject to county, state and planning processes.