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Read on and learn about the biggest poker tournaments in the Equality State
Poker has a long and rich history in Wyoming, dating back decades before the territory achieved statehood in 1890. However, much has changed along the way, and the Equality State doesn’t really live up to its name in terms of its stance on gambling today.
On the one hand, WY residents can legally gamble in tribal casinos, indulge in the lottery and sports betting, or place wagers on horse races. Additionally, local bars and taverns frequently host social cash games and tournaments.
On the other hand, commercial casinos and online poker are off-limits. Therefore, those who prefer taking part in poker tournaments from the comfort of their home frequently join offshore poker sites.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the land-based and online poker tournaments offered in Wyoming and direct you where to find the top international poker rooms.
According to WY statutes, games relying solely on chance are forbidden. Although poker is not explicitly addressed, one can conclude it is unlawful because it is not on the list of allowed activities. The only exceptions to this are tribal venues, as well as local taverns that offer social poker games.
In case of an infringement, you will be guilty of a misdemeanor and may face up to six months in prison or up to $750 in fines. However, the law has stricter penalties for those who indulge in professional gambling. Such activities are classified as felonies and are punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of $3,000, or both.
Online casinos and poker sites are also illegal in Wyoming. So far, lawmakers have not taken any steps to regulate online poker or other forms of internet-based gambling. Still, what gives Wyomingites hope is the fact that the state has permitted sports betting. Gov. Mark Gordon signed HB133 in 2021, which brought five sportsbook apps to the Equality State.
Although WY currently has no state-licensed online poker tournaments, this is evidence that the legislature is slowly softening its stance on gambling; thus, state-approved online poker could be next on the agenda.
Wyoming may not feature a formal online poker scene, but that doesn’t stop its residents from pursuing their passion on offshore sites, as this is the only way to play the game from their homes.
The law neither permits nor explicitly bans such sites — therefore, many fans of the game leverage this gray area to register at international poker rooms operating from foreign jurisdictions. It’s worth mentioning that the state hasn’t prosecuted anyone for online gambling.
We are not surprised WY poker enthusiasts have become quite fond of such platforms. This is where they can participate in poker tournaments of different formats, including freezeouts, freerolls, bounties, shoutouts, satellites, and re-buys, featuring large guaranteed prize pools. Furthermore, they offer plenty of popular poker variations, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but you can also discover some niche titles, like Badugi or Raz.
Wyomingites have always been quite fond of poker. They loved playing Faro and Five Card Draw, and saloons offering these games were scattered everywhere across the territory. After being admitted to the Union, the state passed the McGill Act in 1901 in an attempt to shed its gambling past. The bill prohibited all forms of the activity but didn’t eradicate them — it only pushed them underground instead.
The McGill Act was in full force until 1967 when the state first allowed pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog races. Two decades later, the Northern Arapaho tribe sought permission from the federal government to operate a casino under the terms of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), but the powers that be opposed the idea.
Finally, the tribe opened Wind River Casino in 2005, and other venues followed suit. Today, the Equality State is home to four tribal brick-and-mortar gambling facilities featuring Class III games. They first started offering slots and video poker but expanded their repertoire to blackjack and live poker soon after. Commercial casinos don’t exist, and the state has never contemplated passing a bill that would regulate this sector.
On the other hand, bars and taverns are allowed to host social poker games legally but must abide by specific rules. They are prohibited from taking the rake from the pot and making profit this way. This is why they charge for food and drinks to compensate, which technically doesn’t break any law. The most visited places are 307 Poker, Garth and Katie’s Place, and Outlaw Poker.
A number of offshore poker sites offer online tournaments and cater to Wyoming players. Signing up is fairly easy, so here’s what you need to do to get a seat at the virtual poker table:
Once you’ve selected the poker website that’s right for you, click the link we’ve provided to access it. Remember that you can register on multiple platforms and compare their tournament offerings.
This cookie-cutter procedure is similar on all poker sites. Hit the Sign In button, provide your personal information, and click Submit. If the operator requires you to enter the bonus promo code, this is where you can do it. When you are done, make sure to verify your account.
Go to the Banking/Payment section and pick one of the payment gateways available on the platform. Then, add funds to your new player account.
As a newly registered member, you qualify for a welcome promotion. This step is optional, but you can use these extra funds to prolong your gameplay or test other games between tournaments.
Pick a poker tournament that matches your skill set, budget or personal preferences, such as your favorite game format or prize pool you’d like to get your hands on. Then, get ready to put your poker knowledge and skills to use. Good luck!
As mentioned, the Equality State has no commercial casinos but only four tribal ones. However, their offer is quite limited regarding poker.
If you want to check it out, this is where to go:
Name | Address | No. Poker Tables | Cash Games | Tournaments |
---|---|---|---|---|
307 Poker | 3206 E. Grand Ave., Laramie, WY 82070 | 3 | Yes | No |
Garth & Katie’s Place | 4100 W Yellowstone Hwy, Casper, WY 82604 | 6 | No | Yes |
Outlaw Poker | 312 South Greeley Hwy., Cheyenne, WY 82007 | 3 | Yes | No |
When it comes to semi-private poker arcades and taverns, they are dotted across the state, providing plenty of cash games and tournaments. Currently, the last two host No-Limit poker tournaments
Considering that buy-ins start at $20, Garth and Katie’s Place is more suitable for casual players and those who don’t like to spend large sums of money on poker. In contrast, 307 Poker attracts high-rollers, as buy-ins revolve around $250.
Not sure when the next poker event starts? Follow our page to stay updated on the Wyoming poker tournament schedule, as our team updates it regularly.
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After familiarizing yourself with Wyoming’s poker scene, you understand that you have several options for live games and tournaments at your disposal.
Otherwise, if you live far away from Wind River Casino and the poker taverns, or if brick-and-mortar venues are not your cup of tea, the offshore online poker front abounds with alternatives. Browse our list of poker sites, pick the best operator for you, and enroll in a tournament right away!
Unfortunately, there are no legal online poker tournaments in Wyoming. However, there is a wide variety of tourneys held at all of the offshore poker sites listed here, so you can choose one and start playing immediately.
Yes. The Equality State has one poker room at Wind River Hotel & Casino and two at the following local taverns — 307 Poker and Garth and Katie’s Place.
There is no clear answer to that question since it depends on your preferences. To make things easier for you, we have handpicked the best poker rooms, and now you just have to compare their offerings and decide which one fits your needs best.
We don’t expect Wyoming to legalize online poker in the near future, as the state has no commercial casino industry, and the market is small and unattractive to poker operators. However, the recent passage of the sports betting bill sparks hope that some development may be possible in terms of online poker.
The minimum gambling age in the Equality State is 18. This refers to bingo, lottery, race tracks, as well as tribal casinos because they don’t serve alcohol on the gaming floors.