• The Wyoming Gaming Commission has cautioned the public to avoid online casino websites
• The regulator has named sweepstakes and social casinos as illegal, specifically
• Citizens ought to know that they are not guaranteed the same safeguards if they play at offshore and unregulated websites

The Wyoming Gaming Commission (WGC) has warned the public against playing at unregulated and offshore gambling websites. The regulator reminded residents and visitors of the state that the state currently only regulated sportsbooks, and that it prohibited most forms of iGaming activity, meaning online casinos that offer games of chance, along with "sweepstake" and "social casinos."

Wyoming appeals to consumers to remain vigilant about offshore gambling sites

Online casinos and poker rooms that claim to be operating legally on the territory of the state are not doing so, the watchdog further clarified, cautioning consumers about the dangers associated with playing with unregulated websites.

These websites will often have registered addresses in Wyoming, but this was not the same as having been approved by the regulator, the WGC cautioned.

Commenting on the latest recommendation, WGC Executive Director Nicholas Larramendy said that there were no online casinos in the state that were currently legal. This extended to poker as well as sweepstake sites, with the commission not granting any of these entities a legal right to operate in the state.

Any entity claiming so is lying, Larramendy argued. "We strongly encourage everyone to avoid these websites, however, patrons who choose to engage with these unlicensed platforms do so at their own risk," he added. Larramendy explained that in those instances where players have suffered an unfair loss at a casino, the regulator’s options to intervene were limited.

The WGC could only mediate conflicts between operators and consumers that are licensed and operate under a state license, Larramendy added.

Limited opportunities to intervene on consumer's behalf

"Again, because most of these operations are based outside of the United States, enforcement of local laws becomes difficult. The Wyoming Gaming Commission will do our best to attempt to shut down the operation in our state when we become aware of an illegal operation," he wrapped up.

The commission has urged vigilance on the part of consumers and encouraged them to question the websites they are playing at and verify that they are indeed legitimate entities allowed to run their business in the state.

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