Wyoming Joins States Banning Sports Bettors Who Harass Athletes
Wyoming gaming regulators are taking decisive action against sports bettors who harass athletes by implementing a new ban system.
The Wyoming Gaming Commission has approved regulatory changes that will place harassers on an involuntary exclusion list, effectively banning them from sports betting in the state. Wyoming joins Ohio and West Virginia as the only states with such protective measures.
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The Commission's new harassment definition includes:
- Verbal threats
- Written threats
- Electronic threats
- Lewd or obscene statements/images
- Vandalism
- Non-consequential physical contact
Both the NCAA and University of Wyoming have endorsed these changes. The new regulations will undergo a 45-day public comment period before reaching Governor Mark Gordon for final approval.
Other State Approaches:
Ohio was the first state to implement similar protections in July 2023, allowing regulators to permanently ban individuals who threaten athletes over sporting events.
West Virginia's recent legislation empowers their Lottery Commission to ban individuals who:
- Have prior code convictions
- Violate lottery commission orders
- Pose safety threats to event participants
- Show patterns of harassing sports officials, coaches, or participants
Banned individuals in West Virginia retain the right to request a hearing before the ban takes full effect.
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