Listen to the article
Wisconsin Lawmakers Advance Online Sports Betting Bill Amid March Madness
As billions of dollars flow into NCAA basketball tournament wagers across America, Wisconsin legislators have approved a measure that could dramatically expand sports betting in the state. The bill, which passed its final legislative hurdle on Tuesday, would permit the state’s tribal gambling operations to offer online sports betting to residents statewide.
The legislation now awaits Democratic Governor Tony Evers’ signature, which remains uncertain despite his previous conditional support. Even with approval, implementation would be delayed until after the state negotiates new agreements with Wisconsin’s American Indian tribes, who would operate the expanded betting platforms.
Currently, gambling in Wisconsin is legal only on tribal lands under exclusive compacts between tribes and the state. Sports bets can be placed solely at certain tribal casinos, with online sports betting prohibited. These tribal gambling operations generated over $66 million for the state treasury in 2024 under revenue-sharing agreements.
The proposed expansion follows the “hub-and-spoke” model already implemented in Florida, requiring all online betting infrastructure, including computer servers, to be located on Wisconsin tribal lands. This approach has attracted support from several Wisconsin tribes and the Milwaukee Brewers baseball organization.
Proponents argue that Wisconsin residents already place bets through offshore sportsbooks, prediction markets, or by crossing into neighboring states like Illinois where online sports betting is legal. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, acknowledged his personal opposition to online gambling but supported the bill, saying, “I would rather make sure that Wisconsinites have some sort of control over that.”
The legislation has faced resistance from the Sports Betting Alliance, representing major operators including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, bet365, and Fanatics. The group contends the tribal model doesn’t make financial sense for commercial partners since federal law requires 60% of gambling revenues to flow back to the tribes. They’ve advocated instead for a constitutional amendment that would open sports betting to all operators.
The bill has divided Wisconsin Republicans since its introduction last year, requiring support from 12 Democrats and nine Republicans to pass in the Senate. It cleared the Republican-controlled Assembly on a voice vote without debate last month.
Governor Evers initially indicated he would sign the legislation if it had tribal support, but recently expressed concerns that not all of the state’s 11 tribes are registered in favor of the bill. His office did not respond to requests for comment following Tuesday’s vote.
Even with gubernatorial approval, Wisconsin residents shouldn’t expect immediate access to online betting. Launching such platforms typically takes months. North Carolina, for example, legalized online sports betting in June 2023, but platforms didn’t go live until March 2024.
The national sports betting landscape has expanded dramatically since 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruling opened the door for states beyond Nevada to legalize the practice. Today, sports betting is legal in 39 states plus Washington, D.C., with 31 states already permitting online wagering.
The industry’s growth has been explosive. State-regulated sportsbooks across America handled nearly $167 billion in bets last year, generating almost $17 billion in revenue after paying out winnings – a 23% increase from the previous year.
Several states have revised their initial sports betting frameworks to capture more revenue. Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Washington D.C. have all raised or restructured their taxes on sports betting. Illinois recently added fees of 25-50 cents on every sports bet placed, while Chicago implemented an additional 10.25% tax on sports betting revenues at the beginning of this year.
The industry also faces growing scrutiny regarding proposition bets on individual player performance, which have been central to recent gambling scandals involving players allegedly manipulating their performance. The NCAA has encouraged states to restrict such bets, with Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio and Vermont recently joining states that prohibit individual proposition bets on college athletes.
Wisconsin’s approach to sports betting reflects the complex balancing act facing states nationwide as they seek to capitalize on sports betting’s popularity while addressing regulatory, economic and social concerns in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
From a business perspective, expanded sports betting access could be a boon for Wisconsin. But the social and regulatory impacts need to be carefully weighed. I hope the state can find the right balance to responsibly grow this industry.
Agreed. The economic potential is there, but consumer protection and addressing problem gambling should be top priorities. Wisconsin seems to be taking a thoughtful, incremental approach.
Sports betting is a complex issue, with a mix of economic, regulatory, and cultural considerations. I appreciate Wisconsin taking a measured approach, seeking to negotiate with tribes and carefully implement any expansion. This is a trend worth watching across the country.
Absolutely. Sports betting raises a lot of nuanced questions around consumer protection, tax revenue, and the role of tribal gaming. Wisconsin seems to be trying to navigate these issues thoughtfully.
Sports betting is a complex issue with a lot of moving parts. I’m glad to see Wisconsin taking the time to work through the details with tribal stakeholders. Implementing this responsibly will be crucial.
Interesting to see Wisconsin lawmakers exploring online sports betting. Expanding access to regulated betting could generate additional revenue for the state, but the tribal gambling agreements will be key. I’m curious to see how this plays out.
Yes, the tribal compacts will be critical. Wisconsin’s approach follows the model seen in other states, with tribes operating the betting platforms. It will be important to balance tribal interests with broader public access.
The potential for online sports betting to generate revenue is clear, but the regulatory challenges are significant. I’m glad to see Wisconsin taking the time to work through the tribal agreements and implementation details. Responsible expansion is key.
You make a good point. Rushing into online betting without proper safeguards could create more problems than it solves. A measured, collaborative approach with tribes is prudent.