Bally’s to Take Over Cheyenne Horse Racing & Laramie County Updates

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A significant shift in Wyoming’s horse racing landscape is on the horizon as Bally’s Wyoming LLC seeks to take over operations from Cowboy Racing LLC. The Laramie County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the transfer of parimutuel wagering and live racing rights during its meeting on Tuesday, February 17th, at 3:30 p.m. At the Historic Courthouse.

The proposed resolution would see Bally’s assume control of wagering operations related to live horse racing, historic horse racing, and simulcast events at three Cheyenne locations:

,

, and

. This move signals a substantial investment by the national gaming giant into the Wyoming racing scene.

The timing of this transition coincides with the ongoing development of Thunder Plains, a mile-long horse racing track located 10 miles east of Cheyenne. While not directly part of this transfer, the emergence of Thunder Plains, slated to begin hosting races in October 2026, adds another layer of complexity and potential to the state’s racing future. Will Edwards, the driving force behind Thunder Plains, recently secured permits from the Wyoming Gaming Commission to host 16 days of live racing in 2026, primarily in October and early November, through a partnership with a Colorado-based track.

Edwards announced a transfer of race operations to a partnership, and while initial reports indicated a connection to Bally’s Arapahoe Park Horse Track, the resolution before the Laramie County Board of Commissioners specifically names Bally’s Wyoming LLC as the entity taking over from Cowboy Racing. This suggests a potentially broader operational relationship than initially understood.

The Commissioners’ agenda isn’t solely focused on horse racing. They are also set to give public notice of their intent to adopt the Laramie County Fair rules for 2026. A proposed timeline for public input has been established, with a deadline for written comments set for April 3rd and a public hearing scheduled for April 7th. The 2026 Laramie County Fair will embrace the theme “Fair’s Poppin’” and is scheduled to run from July 30th through August 9th.

Beyond the fair and racing matters, the board will receive a Fiscal Year 2025 financial and compliance report from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Infrastructure improvements are also on the agenda, including a $397,868.43 deal with TK Elevator Corp. To modernize elevators at the Laramie County Governmental Complex. The board will consider a modification to the agreement with Stasis Design PC for the new Archer storage building and horse barns, extending the design services timeline until November 1st, 2027.

Routine administrative items, such as catering permits for events including the LCCC Rodeo Gala on February 27th and the Leachman Bull Sale on March 22nd and March 23rd, submitted by DeLancey Enterprises LLC (doing business as Hell on Wheels Package Liquors), are also up for consideration. The board will also review the appointment of Aaron Veldheer, currently the chief deputy of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, to the Laramie County Adult Community Corrections Board.

The transfer of operations from Cowboy Racing to Bally’s represents a significant development for the Wyoming horse racing industry. While Thunder Plains is poised to introduce a new, state-of-the-art racing facility, Bally’s takeover of existing wagering operations suggests a consolidation and potential expansion of the sport’s reach within the county. The Commissioners’ vote on Tuesday will be a key indicator of the direction Wyoming horse racing will take in the coming years. The outcome will likely be closely watched by industry stakeholders, local residents, and those involved in the planning of the 2026 Laramie County Fair.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting in person at the Historic Courthouse or participate virtually through the Laramie County website, www.laramiecountywy.gov.