CHEYENNE – The Wyoming  House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow Wyoming to offer a lottery.

The bill is now headed down the hall to the Senate for consideration.

The proposal allows the state to offer a state lottery or join a multi-state lottery, such as the Powerball. Proceeds would go to local cities, towns and counties.

Proponents say Wyoming residents are spending a lot of money buying lottery tickets in other states that have lotteries. They say that is money that could stay in Wyoming if the state offered a lottery.

Representative Dan Zwonitzer of Cheyenne says having a lottery in Wyoming was the number one issue with his constituents going into this legislative session.

Colorado’s top retailer for the Powerball game is just 9 miles south of Cheyenne on the border with Wyoming.

Opponents say lotteries are a form of gambling and tax that would most hurt the poorest citizens who play the game.