- Online sports betting is officially legal in Wisconsin following the passing of a bill into law on Thursday.
- There will not be online sports betting markets offered in the state until all 11 tribes agree on a deal to enforce an even system.
MADISON, Wis. – A bill to legalize online sports betting in Wisconsin was signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on Thursday, becoming the 33rd state to do so.
Run by local Native American tribes, sports betting in Wisconsin has been legal since 2021 for in person wagering.
Although the bill was officially signed into law, measures must be put in place to set up a system, one that treats all tribes equally, according to Evers.
It could take months for the tribes to finalize a deal, meaning online sports betting in Wisconsin may not be available for a while.
Wisconsin only allows sports betting on tribal lands due to contracts signed by tribes in agreement with the state.
More About Wisconsin Online Sports Betting
Bets must be taken on tribal lands, meaning any technology needed to operate an online sportsbook must be located in one of these designated areas.
Wisconsin online sports betting is estimated to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the state, which totaled over $66 million from casinos last fiscal year.
The tribes were in support of the legal sports betting bill, while it was opposed by The Sports Betting Alliance, which represents many of the biggest domestic sportsbooks.
Due to the federal law that requires 60% of revenue from gambling to be returned to the tribes, Wisconsin sportsbooks are on the outside of making revenue. As it stands, all 11 tribes in Wisconsin are actively negotiating to figure out a system.
