The first $1 million in taxes have been collected by the State of Wyoming from Cowboy Skill Games, a coalition of Wyoming operators who run the legal skill games in restaurants and bars across the state.

As per legislation passed earlier this year, which creates a strong regulatory framework for legal skill games, a 20% tax is levied on the net proceeds from each skill game terminal.

The first $1 million funds expenses associated with the regulation of the games. After that $1 million is collected, 45% of the taxes go to the school foundation program, 45% goes to county and local governments, and 10% is directed to the commission gaming account.

Now that the first $1 million has been collected, every six months disbursements to the other accounts will occur.

Leslie George, owner of Wyoming Amusement in Sheridan, said hitting the $1 million benchmark is “exciting” because now the local municipalities will benefit.

“The Cowboy Skill Games organization is a group of Wyoming families who live here in Wyoming,” she said. “We live in our communities. We are so proud to now give back to our local communities through the taxes generated.”

“This is especially important with the stress our communities are under because of the coronavirus pandemic. Our legal skill games have not only served as a lifeline for bars and restaurants who have been severely impacted by the coronavirus but now we can help out our cities and towns which are financially struggling,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Cowboy Skill Games organization purchased a new van for a Sheridan family whose van was stolen while they were receiving medical treatment for their child in Denver.

The group also donated $10,000 to First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative and hosted a free lunch for first responders in Casper.

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This article was originally published by the Cowboy State Daily September 30, 2020.