Governor Tony Evers works with clay during a visit to Wausau East High School. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
MADISON, WI (WSAU) — Governor Tony Evers has signed Assembly Bill 601, opening the door for sports betting apps to operate in Wisconsin.
The bill allows users to place wagers on games through mobile apps, as long as the bet runs through servers operated on tribal land. Evers says this brings an opportunity for increased gaming revenues for all 11 Tribal Nations. “When each of the Tribal Nations in Wisconsin thrive our surrounding communities, and our state as a whole, thrive, too.”
The Democrat challenged the Tribes to adopt a revenue-sharing model that benefits all, not just some, and added that he is pleased to see discussions are trending in that direction. “This is an opportunity to avoid the mistakes of past compact amendments that left some Tribes and their members in poverty while only lifting up a few. It is further my expectation that we look beyond mere dollar signs and economics and insist these decisions also be guided by respect, humility, compassion, and solidarity.”
The bill was opposed by major players in the sports betting world, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, who would now need to strike a deal with the tribes to gain a foothold in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin joins two dozen other states that have legalized some form of mobile sports betting. In-person betting is allowed at some casinos, including Oneida Nation in Green Bay and Potawatomi in Milwaukee.
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