CHEYENNE, WY - Wyoming House members earlier this week approved a proposal to introduce a state lottery and Powerball, the Billings Gazette reports.

Legislators passed House Bill 186, which would establish a quasi-public corporation to run a Wyoming-only lottery or join a multistate lottery system.

The legislation must now pass two additional House votes before being sent to the Senate for consideration. Wyoming legislators have previously voted down lottery proposals.

Under the proposal, state money would not be used on the lottery. Additionally, scratch-off and instant-win tickets, as well as a video lottery, would not be allowed.

Proponents of a lottery argue it would generate millions of dollars for the state, noting that Wyoming residents currently travel to neighboring states to purchase tickets.

Opponents dispute the revenue projections and maintain the lottery would take money from low-income people disproportionately.