Committee hears testimony on allowing more gambling

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 9:09 a.m.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Proponents of joining the Powerball lottery and allowing more types of gambling in Wyoming told lawmakers that the state is missing out on potential revenue.

Others said gambling doesn't help Wyoming's quality of life and doesn't have a place here.

A subcommittee of the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee has been looking at whether Wyoming's laws for electronic bingo, pull-tab games, pari-mutuel racing and lotteries need changing.

Committee members said that regardless of whether Wyoming allows more types of gambling, the state needs a gambling commission to regulate the industry.

"I'm sick and tired of going to Wellington, Colo., or Scottsbluff, Neb., and seeing Wyoming cars there," one Lotto player, David Evenson, of Casper, told the committee Wednesday.

"They're all carrying money. That money is lost to Wyoming," he said. "I don't know why we can't pick this up."

But Bob Tanner, also of Casper, said he doesn't think casino-style gambling improves the quality of life in Wyoming. "I've listened to people testify about leaving the state to gamble. I thank them for doing that. By doing it, we don't have to deal with the problems that come along with gambling," he said.