There are 46 states in this country that don’t get to participate in legalized and regulated sports betting—Wyoming is one of them. This is due to a federal ban enacted in 1992 known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA, for short. In the 25 years since its passing, there has been an increasing opposition to the ban from states who wish to host sports betting. Now, some of these states are voicing their desires through formal legislation in the hopes that PASPA will be repealed or amended.
While Wyoming hasn’t produced any sports betting bills, that could change if some of the other states who have are successful. That seems to be the mindset surrounding sports betting right now on a state-to-state level; a ‘Let’s see what happens with them first,’ mentality. New Jersey has by far been the most aggressive state in regards to legalizing sports betting, going so far as to draft and vote in legislation that went around PASPA’s ruling and bring sportsbooks to their casinos and racetracks. This ambitious action quickly prompted a response from the major professional sports leagues in the form of a lawsuit. Now, New Jersey is going through the appeals cycle and is awaiting word from the Supreme Court on whether they’ll hear the case or not. New York, Maryland and Michigan have also filed legislation in favor of a legal sports gambling industry, though their bills are only enacted pending PASPA’s repeal. West Virginia is the latest state to file an official bill in favor of sports betting.
Ironically enough, some of the commissioners from the major professional sports leagues have shifted their views on the matter and are now leaning somewhat in favor of it. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has by far been the most vocal about it, dating as far back as 2014. More recently, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has made statements about his league’s view on sports gambling and how they’re going to “reexamine” their stance on the matter.
The states trying to push bills forward believe that they should have the right to decide if they want sports betting, not an outdated federal ban that was passed over two decades ago. The sports industry has changed since then. The sports betting industry has also changed since then. Daily Fantasy Sports, while a different animal than regular sports betting, has taken over and revealed an interest in sports gambling. Recent polls and repots have also revealed that the majority of Americans are in favor of legalizing the once-considered taboo market.
The Wyoming sports gambling market relies on offshore sportsbooks that residents use to place bets. These sportsbooks are all legally sanctioned and regulated by their presiding governments, but lack the same proximity benefits that Nevada residents get to enjoy with physical Las Vegas sportsbooks. If New Jersey (as they’ve made the most progress so far) is successful in their attempt to bring sports gambling to their state, then Wyoming and other states can follow suit if they choose to do so. There are economic benefits from regulating sports betting, and any state could use the money gained from a regulated market to support its infrastructure. As for now, Wyoming is just another passenger state waiting for something to happen with PASPA, but should something happen this year, residents may very well see a legal and regulated sports gambling industry brought to their state.