A Long Road to the Lottery
Wyoming was one of the last states in America to establish a lottery. For decades, the state's independent, small-government ethos and conservative legislature resisted lottery proposals. Multiple bills were introduced and defeated over the years before momentum finally shifted in the early 2010s. The combination of declining state revenues, growing public support, and the success of lotteries in neighboring states like Colorado and Montana created the conditions for change.
HB 77 and the 2013 Breakthrough
In March 2013, Governor Matt Mead signed House Bill 77, officially creating the Wyoming Lottery Corporation. The bill passed after intense debate, with supporters arguing that Wyoming residents were already spending millions on lottery tickets in neighboring states like Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska. Rather than export that spending, the legislature decided to capture it for Wyoming's benefit. The bill created a standalone corporation rather than a state agency, giving the lottery operational independence.
Launch Day: August 24, 2014
Tickets went on sale on August 24, 2014, making Wyoming the 44th state to operate a lottery. The launch began with Powerball and Mega Millions, giving Wyoming players immediate access to the nation's biggest jackpots. The initial rollout was modest compared to larger states — no scratch-off tickets, no daily digit games, just multi-state draw games. This draw-only approach remains unique, as Wyoming law specifically prohibits scratch-off tickets, making it one of only two states (along with North Dakota) with this restriction.
Growing the Game Portfolio
After the initial launch with Powerball and Mega Millions, Wyoming steadily expanded its offerings. Cowboy Draw was introduced as the state's first and only exclusive jackpot game, giving Wyoming its own identity in the lottery world. The 5/45 format with a $5 dual-play ticket and $250,000 starting jackpot was designed specifically for Wyoming's smaller population. 2by2 added daily play opportunities, and Millionaire for Life brought lifetime payout options to the lineup.
Revenue and Education Funding
Wyoming Lottery revenue is directed to education. The first $6 million annually goes to cities and counties, with the remainder funding the Hathaway Scholarship program and the Education Trust Fund. The Hathaway Scholarship provides merit-based financial aid to Wyoming students attending the University of Wyoming and community colleges, making the lottery a direct pipeline to higher education access. While Wyoming's lottery generates modest revenue compared to larger states, the education focus gives every ticket purchase a tangible connection to student success.
The Zero-Tax Advantage
Wyoming has no state income tax, which means lottery winnings are taxed only at the federal level. This makes Wyoming one of the most tax-friendly states for lottery winners in the country. Federal withholding of 24% still applies to prizes over $5,000, but the absence of state tax means Wyoming winners keep a larger share of their prizes than players in most other states.
Impact and Future
Despite being one of the newest and smallest state lotteries, Wyoming has carved out a distinctive niche — draw-only games, zero state tax, and education-focused revenue. The state proves that a lean lottery operation can be effective. For a full breakdown of every current game, see our Wyoming Lottery Games Guide, or visit the Wyoming lottery dashboard for live results and analysis.