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SF0099

Wyoming Bill to Allow Horse Racing Bets at State Fairgrounds

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would allow the state fair board to permit horse racing betting events at the state fairgrounds, require a feasibility study, and direct related revenue to the state fair account.

What it does

  • Allows the state fair board to authorize pari-mutuel betting events on the state fairgrounds.
  • Requires that these events not take place during the annual state fair.
  • Removes the requirement for a county election to approve these specific events.
  • Directs revenue from these events to be deposited into the Wyoming state fair account.
  • Requires the state fair advisory board to contract for a feasibility study on these events.
  • Appropriates $2 million from the pari-mutuel account, with up to $100,000 reserved for the feasibility study.

Who it affects

  • The Wyoming State Fair Board and the State Fair Advisory Board.
  • Pari-mutuel permittees authorized to conduct betting events.
  • The Wyoming State Treasurer and the Pari-Mutuel Commission.
  • Counties and cities or towns where permittees are located, regarding fee distribution.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in the 2018 legislative session and failed in the House committee.
  • The appropriation of funds is limited to the period ending June 30, 2020.
  • The bill text does not specify the exact rules for how the competitive bid process for simulcast events will be managed beyond citing existing state law.

Plain language

Terms to know

Pari-mutuel events
Betting events where wagers are pooled and winnings are distributed based on the total amount bet.
Simulcast events
Betting events where the race is broadcast from another location rather than happening live at the fairgrounds.
Feasibility study
A research project to determine if a plan is practical and likely to succeed.
Appropriation
A specific amount of money set aside by the government for a particular purpose.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Sep 12, 10:57 AM

Cale Case

R · S25

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because it allows the state fairgrounds to negotiate better financial terms than current law permits, directing profits toward capital construction and maintenance rather than operations.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:05:34 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe it is premature and that the board needs time to organize before making decisions on horse racing events.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:10:22 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe a study is necessary first to understand the racetrack situation before proceeding with changes.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:22 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment due to the complexity of new fair boards and other changes, suggesting it should be studied as an interim topic instead.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:11:54 Watch the statement

Larry Hicks

R · S11

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe the timeline is too rushed for a newly formed board to make informed decisions on horse racing events.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:14:25 Watch the statement

Brian Boner

R · S02

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the second amendment because local governments currently bear a financial burden for maintaining state facilities, and funds should remain to help offset that cost.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:16:04 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker changes their position to support the second amendment because it keeps funds in a parimutuel account where counties can still access them.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:16:23 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill itself by stating that all stakeholders are now aligned and the legislation benefits the state fair.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:18:05 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill to help the State Fairgrounds recover by allowing flat track horse racing and parimutuel betting during non-fair times, which will generate revenue without affecting the general fund.

Public statementFloor statement at 21:13 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

7 roll calls

H COW:Failed 28-31-1-0-02018-03-07 · House28 yes 31 no
Yes
28
No
31
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 28

Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Andrew W SchwartzH23Carl R LoucksH59Charles F PelkeyH45Danny EyreH19Dan R KirkbrideH04Dan ZwonitzerH43Debbie BoveeH36Eric BarlowR · H03Hans HuntH02James R AllenH33James W ByrdH44Jared OlsenR · H11Jerry A ObermuellerH56Jerry D PaxtonH47LAURSEN DANMartha D HalversonH22Mike GierauD · H16Patrick SweeneyH58Robert A ClausenH06Stanley L BlakeH39Theodore J BlackburnH42Thomas J WaltersH38Timothy P HallinanH32Tyler E LindholmH01William D HendersonH41William H Mr. HaleyH46William H PownallH52

No 31

Bo BitemanR · H51Bob NicholasR · H08Catherine R ConnollyH13Charles J GrayH57Cheri SteinmetzR · H05Clark D StithH48Clifford M JenningsH30Dan FurphyH14David E NorthrupH50David R MillerH55Donald E Burkhart JrH15Evan J SimpsonH21Jamie L FlitnerH26JoAnn R DaytonH17John C EklundH10John L FreemanH60Joseph E MacGuireH35Landon BrownR · H09LARSEN LLOYDLars O LoneH12Mark S KinnerH29Michael D GreearH27Michael K MaddenH40Nathan A WintersH28Roy H EdwardsH53Scott CourtH24Scott M ClemH31Steve HarshmanR · H37Susan S WilsonH07Thomas D CrankH18Tim SalazarR · H34

Excused 1

Garry C PiiparinenH49
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-02018-03-05 · House7 yes 0 no
Yes
7
No
0
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 7

Albert P Sommers Jr.H20Andrew W SchwartzH23Bob NicholasR · H08Donald E Burkhart JrH15Lloyd LarsenR · H54Susan S WilsonH07Thomas J WaltersH38
H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02018-03-02 · House9 yes 0 no
Yes
9
No
0
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 9

Charles J GrayH57Cheri SteinmetzR · H05Dan LaursenR · H25Evan J SimpsonH21Hans HuntH02Robert A ClausenH06Stanley L BlakeH39William D HendersonH41William H Mr. HaleyH46
S 3rd Reading:Passed 24-6-0-0-02018-02-27 · Senate24 yes 6 no
Yes
24
No
6
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 24

Affie EllisS08Anthony BouchardS06BEBOUT PRESBill LandenR · S27Brian BonerR · S02Bruce Burns Jr.S21Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Fred A BaldwinS14Fred M EmerichS05Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Jim AndersonR · S28Larry HicksR · S11Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Ogden DriskillR · S01Paul R BarnardS15Ray R PetersonS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04Wyatt AgarS20

No 6

Cale CaseR · S25Charles ScottR · S30Dan DockstaderR · S16John HastertS13Leland G ChristensenS17Liisa L Anselmi-DaltonS12
S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 3-1-1-0-02018-02-21 · Senate3 yes 1 no
Yes
3
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 3

Bruce Burns Jr.S21Landen BOgden DriskillR · S01

No 1

Dan DockstaderR · S16

Excused 1

John HastertS13
S06 - Travel:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02018-02-20 · Senate4 yes 1 no
Yes
4
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 4

Brian BonerR · S02Fred M EmerichS05Glenn W MonizS10Paul R BarnardS15

No 1

Liisa L Anselmi-DaltonS12
S Introduced and Referred to S06 - Travel 27-2-1-0-02018-02-15 · Senate27 yes 2 no
Yes
27
No
2
Absent
0
Excused
1
Conflict
0

Yes 27

Affie EllisS08Anthony BouchardS06BEBOUT PRESBill LandenR · S27Brian BonerR · S02Bruce Burns Jr.S21Charles ScottR · S30Chris RothfussD · S09Curtis MeierS03David A KinskeyS22Drew A PerkinsS29Fred A BaldwinS14Fred M EmerichS05Glenn W MonizS10Henry R CoeS18Jeff WasserburgerS23Jim AndersonR · S28John HastertS13Larry HicksR · S11Leland G ChristensenS17Liisa L Anselmi-DaltonS12Michael J Mr. Von FlaternS24Ogden DriskillR · S01Paul R BarnardS15Ray R PetersonS19Stephan PappasR · S07Tara NethercottR · S04

No 2

Cale CaseR · S25Dan DockstaderR · S16

Excused 1

Wyatt AgarS20

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H COW:Failed 28-31-1-0-0House
  2. H Placed on General FileHouse
  3. H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0House
  4. :Rerefer to H02 - AppropriationsHouse
  5. H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  6. H Introduced and Referred to H05 - AgricultureHouse
  7. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  8. S 3rd Reading:Passed 24-6-0-0-0Senate
  9. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  10. S COW:PassedSenate
  11. S Placed on General FileSenate
  12. S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 3-1-1-0-0Senate
  13. :Rerefer to S02 - AppropriationsSenate
  14. S06 - Travel:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0Senate
  15. S Introduced and Referred to S06 - Travel 27-2-1-0-0Senate
  16. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  17. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

7 stored

SF0099HS001

Failed Standing Committee by HAppropriations

SF0099S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Driskill

SF0099S3001

Failed 3rd reading by Kinskey

SF0099S3002

Failed 3rd reading by Driskill

SF0099SW001

Withdrawn Committee of the Whole by Driskill

SF0099SW002

Adopted Committee of the Whole by Driskill

SF0099SS001

Failed Standing Committee by STravel