The Wyoming Board of Trustees received and reviewed a letter from a member that requested that the Board reverse it's policy position of opposition to the Wyoming Lottery implementing instant gratification scratch ticket games in Wyoming. An article in a previous Newsletter alerted members to the Board meeting outcomes and requested input from members if they were in disagreement with the Board's direction. The Board of Trustees held a weekend vote on November 6, 2021 regarding the scratch tickets policy position. While the majority of Board of Trustees voted to continue opposition to implementing scratch ticket games, the fact that several non-Board members representing a significant number of Wyoming convenience store locations expressed their support for scratch ticket deployment, the Association is obliged to adopt a neutral position.
WPMA's policy position change to neutral does not necessarily mean the concept will pass the next session, albeit WPMA's opposition has thwarted several attempts by the Wyoming Lottery to implement the games in the past. When the lottery passed in 2013, the authorizing bill passed only because instant gratification games were prohibited. Staff is not so sure that that condition does not still account for a majority in the current legislature. We shall see. With the proliferation of skill-based games, sports betting, KENO, pull tags and other gambling opportunities, the legislature may have had its fill of gambling opportunities and problems. Importantly, the next session is the Biennium Budget Session that requires 2/3rds vote approval for a bill to be forwarded for consideration. That threshold on this contentious subject may prevent the bill from moving forward.
It is uncertain when the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee will meet again before the 2022 Biennium Budget Session. The draft bill authorizing scratch tickets with all proceeds going to outdoor recreation was amended and the meeting date for a final vote forwarding the measure as a "Committee Bill" has yet to be announced. Readers are reminded that the draft bill was approved on a close 8-6 vote so the final vote will focus on revisions and amendments discussed in the last committee meeting. Should the bill fail in Committee, it is anticipated that Rep. Pat Sweeney (R) Mills, and Rep. Sandy Newsome (R) Cody, will carry the bill individually.
Special "Thanks" to the Trustees for their input and direction. And a special "Thanks" to those members voicing their desire for the policy position review. Fortunately, divisive issues like this are uncommon in Wyoming and within the industry in general. The Association still has a solid reputation in the legislature and this issue will only cement the fact that all members in WPMA are listened to and respected.