Wyoming lawmakers are considering raising the tax on online sports betting, after Representative Liz Storer proposed starting work on a bill at 20%. The state currently taxes online sportsbooks at 10% of gross win; a legislative analyst told a committee the average rate in states with legal online betting is about 19%.
A tax increase would raise the cost of operating online sportsbooks in Wyoming.
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Colorado Governor Jared Polis proposed raising the effective tax rate on the state’s casinos to 23% from 16.1% in his final budget proposal. The proposal estimates $80.2 million in annual revenue from the gaming industry; voters would have to approve a tax increase under the state’s taxpayer bill of rights.
North Carolina lawmakers are debating a proposed increase to the state’s 18% tax on gross sports wagering revenue, with rates of 20% to 30% under discussion, according to the report. A previous Senate proposal to raise the rate to 36% stalled after the House did not support it.
Two bills filed in West Virginia would raise the tax rate on sports betting from 10% to 25% and on igaming from 15% to 25%. The proposals would require operators to file weekly tax reports and payments and have been referred to the House Government Organization Committee.
The Kentucky General Assembly approved House Bill 904, which raises the minimum age for sports betting to 21, subject to Governor Andy Beshear’s signature. The bill also regulates fantasy sports, permits fixed-odds horse racing bets and prohibits wagers on negative performances by Kentucky college athletes; people aged 18 to 20 may still take part in fantasy sports and live horse-racing betting.
Kentucky representatives Michael Meredith and Matt Koch filed House Bill 904 on 4 March, proposing changes to the state’s gambling rules. The bill would raise the minimum age for sports betting from 18 to 21, bar prop bets involving athletes at Kentucky colleges and place fantasy sports operators under the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation; it awaits committee assignment.