Wyoming Gaming Commission Act
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Bill Summary - 20LSO-0217 Bill No.: HB0171 Effective: Immediately LSO No.: 20LSO-0217 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0095 Chapter No.: 114 Prime Sponsor: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Interim Committee Catch Title: Wyoming gaming commission. Subject: Wyoming gaming commission. Summary/Major Elements: The bill converts the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission into the Wyoming Gaming Commission. Commission membership is expanded from seven (7) to nine (9) members—one (1) a certified peace officer and the other a member of the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone Indian tribe with not less than five (5) years of regulatory gaming experience. Additionally, two (2) legislative members and one (1) gubernatorial representative will serve as liaisons to the Commission. The Commission is also authorized to employ peace officers, enforce criminal prohibitions on gambling, and work with the Wyoming Attorney General to prosecute gambling violations. The bill authorizes the continued use of skill based amusement games in the state until June 30, 2021. The Commission must approve each skill based amusement game and operators and establishments must pay specified fees as part of the approval process. Skill based amusement games may not be placed in areas in which a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years may enter and limitations are imposed including maximum wagers per play and maximum payouts per play. A maximum of four (4) skill based amusement games are allowed per establishment and only establishments that had skill based amusement games as of the effective date of the act are permitted to continue operating skill based amusement games in the state. The bill imposes on operators a tax of twenty percent (20%) of the net proceeds earned on the games assessed on a weekly basis. Commencing July 1, 2020, organizations that operate bingo games, pull-tab games, and Calcutta wagering events must obtain at no cost an operating license from the Commission and provide an annual report. Comments: The Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission is converted into the Wyoming Gaming Commission and the Commission's regulatory authority is expanded from pari-mutuel events to regulation of skill based amusement games. The Commission is required to report quarterly to the Joint Appropriations Committee on tax revenues received from skill based amusement games. Funds in the newly created Commission Gaming Account are continuously appropriated to the Commission to pay for reasonable expenses incurred in overseeing and regulating skill based amusement games. Two legislative appointments are required as noted above. The Commission is required to study gaming in the state and provide a report to the legislature. The report must provide options to the legislature for the potential regulation of all types of gaming. The report is due to the legislature by September 1, 2020. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 11, 6:33 PM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a no vote because the amendment changes the moratorium start date to May 1st, which could allow for excessive expansion of games. He also cites concerns about unclear software language and funding distribution that need further discussion.
D · H16
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a no vote on concurrence, stating that while the general policy is acceptable, specific provisions regarding software are nonsensical and require cleanup before passage.
R · H37
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a no vote because he believes the bill contains errors regarding dates and definitions that must be corrected before it can pass.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because he believes it is a necessary step toward regulating an industry that has expanded too far, arguing that doing nothing would allow the situation to worsen.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges caution against voting for the amendment solely to remove Calcuttas, arguing that the amendment makes significant other changes to the bill beyond that minor issue.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker states he will vote in favor of the amendment because he appreciates the Speaker's approach to handling the issue, despite admitting difficulty understanding the lengthy text.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explicitly states support for the amendment without providing further specific reasoning in the transcript excerpt provided.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because it restricts gaming locations, defines prohibited game mechanics like algorithms and random number generators, and allows local communities to opt-in via ordinance.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe it narrows the scope of gaming, addresses existing issues without opening doors to massive expansion, and brings control through a commission.
H40
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because the opt-in provision allows county commissioners, who are closer to constituents, to decide whether to allow these facilities.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe it fails to solve the problem and incorrectly targets traditional activities like Calcutta betting by forcing sheriffs to shut them down if a county opts in.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because they believe it adds safeguards, such as limiting gaming to establishments with liquor licenses to prevent dedicated gaming parlors.
D · H16
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes an amendment that would delete Section 1 because they believe removing those regulations leaves the skill game problem unchecked without funding for a commission.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes an amendment that would delete Section 1 because they believe it eliminates regulations on skilled games without providing the necessary appropriation to stand up a commission.
R · H37
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues that passing the bill with this amendment prevents unregulated gaming by ensuring legal authority remains if future legislation fails to act.
R · H36
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a vote against the bill if the proposed amendment is not passed, suggesting to start over instead.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because machine owners require regulation to address a unique situation.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
9 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
25 stored
The amendment removes specific sections from the bill related to gaming regulations and duties of the Wyoming gaming commission.
The amendment requires that each decal used in gaming establishments must include the Wyoming state symbol, the bucking horse and rider emblem.
The amendment modifies the bill by adding provisions for video gaming terminals, adjusting penalties and fees, changing deadlines, and establishing new definitions and permit requirements for authorized gaming terminals.
The amendment removes several sections from the bill, including parts of pages 1 through 7 and all of pages 4, 5, 6, and 7 except for specific line changes.
The amendment modifies the bill to include video gaming terminals and establishes new rules for authorized gaming terminals, including permits, fees, and operational requirements.
The amendment modifies HB0171 by adding provisions related to video gaming terminals, adjusting deadlines and terminology, and inserting new sections about authorized gaming terminals.
The amendment removes an existing statute and adds new language to limit where authorized gaming terminals can be operated in Wyoming.
The amendment adds new penalties for violating the rules about skill-based amusement games.
The amendment adds new sections to existing laws to regulate skill-based amusement games in Wyoming, requiring local government approval before such games can be operated.
The amendment removes several previous amendments and specific sections of text from HB0171, altering references to numbers within the bill.
The amendment removes previous amendments and adds new language to define skill-based amusement games and expand the Wyoming gaming commission's enforcement duties.
The amendment modifies the bill to adjust reporting requirements, clarify language about net proceeds and continuous appropriations, add specific conditions for remitting fees, and make other minor changes.
The amendment passes the substitute version of HB0171 as proposed.
The amendment changes where skill-based amusement game fees are collected, moving them from the school foundation program account to the general fund.
The amendment changes the effective date of a provision in HB0171 from January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020.
The amendment removes specific changes made by a previous Senate committee regarding lines on page 10 of the bill.
The amendment removes previous committee changes and adds a requirement for one member of the Wyoming Gaming Commission to be from either the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone Indian tribe with at least five years of gaming experience.
The amendment changes the year from 2021 to 2023 in a specific part of the bill.
The amendment changes the definition of a 'skill-based amusement game' to include devices that allow multiple players to play simultaneously or through interconnected playing stations.
This amendment adds a requirement for skill-based amusement games to have software that restricts internet access to specific websites approved by the Wyoming gaming commission.
This amendment removes sections related to skill-based amusement games, video gaming terminals, and other forms of gaming from the bill, and adds a new requirement that such games cannot operate in Wyoming without specific legislative authorization and commission approval.
The amendment adds a definition to the bill, specifying that 'operator' includes members of federally recognized Indian tribes in Wyoming who run skill-based amusement games for profit.
The amendment removes specific sections of the bill related to gaming regulations and commission duties.
The amendment removes certain lines from the bill and adds new language about skill-based amusement games, specifically prohibiting algorithms with random number generators that influence game outcomes.
The amendment changes the date and wording in several sections of the bill related to gaming regulations, modifies how fees are calculated and distributed for skill-based amusement games, and adds definitions and requirements for these games.