Evers Signs Wisconsin Online Sports Betting Bill Into Law
Governor previously expressed concerns about equity among state's tribal nations
Wisconsin will soon join 32 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing online sports betting statewide after Gov. Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 601 into law Thursday.
The bill allows Wisconsin’s tribal nations to offer online sports betting. Anyone aged 21 or older in Kenosha to Superior will be able to access a wagering app that’s connected to a gaming server located on one of the 11 federally recognized tribes based in the state.
His decision comes after the Democratic state executive had a week to consider the bill. The Wisconsin leader had expressed concerns about tribal unity and equity before announcing his decision.
This bill means a broader collection of Tribal Nations in Wisconsin could reap the benefits of increased gaming revenues,” he said in a two-page statement. “Statewide mobile events or sports wagering could present an opportunity to help level the playing field to ensure every Tribal Nation in Wisconsin can benefit from the increased revenues. This is important.”
When exactly online wagering will go live in Wisconsin remains to be seen. Tribes will need to rework their gaming compacts with the state, and the U.S. Department of the Interior must approve them as well.
Sports betting Wisconsin started more than four years ago, although bettors can only make wagers at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks located at tribal casinos.
Which Apps Will Participate Remains a Mystery
Once the timing question is addressed, the next question will be which apps will be available to Wisconsin sports bettors. That question will be a little more difficult to answer because of federal laws regarding tribal gaming.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a tribe can offer gaming on its land if it can reach an agreement with state leaders. However, the tribe must be the primary beneficiary. Essentially, that means it must receive at least 60% of the revenue generated from the gaming operation.
Since sports betting does not generate the same amount of revenue as casino gaming, that provision could be enough to keep major online operators, like DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel, from partnering with Wisconsin tribes.
The three also belong to the Sports Betting Alliance, a trade association representing the sportsbooks on most public policy issues. Previously, that group opposed AB 601, noting in testimony last November to a legislative committee that going through the tribal gaming process would provide “limited choices for consumers.”
The three online sports betting operators did not immediately return messages seeking comment late Thursday afternoon.
In a statement sent to Gambling Insider, Forest County Potawatomi Community Chairman Brooks Boyd hailed Evers’ signing as “an important step forward” for the state and the tribes.
“This bipartisan legislation respects tribal sovereignty and keeps the economic benefits of mobile sports betting in Wisconsin,” Boyd said. “We are extremely grateful to Governor Tony Evers and the legislature for their support in advancing this legislation that will help bring a responsible regulatory framework to mobile sports betting in Wisconsin.”
Evers Says ‘Joint Venture’ Would Have His Support
The Wisconsin Senate approved AB 601 on March 17 in bipartisan fashion, with a 21-12 vote. Despite legislative leaders from both parties supporting the measure, Evers initially did not sound enthusiastic about the bill as it moved to his desk.
Last month, eight of the state’s 11 tribal nations sent a letter to the governor supporting the bill. However, on Thursday morning, Green Bay TV station WBAY reported that all tribes signed a second letter sent to the governor on Wednesday urging him to sign the measure into law.
In his statement announcing he signed the bill, Evers called on the tribes to “work diligently – and together – to shape the future of sports betting in Wisconsin.” He added that he wants to see every tribe to share its thoughts as the process moves forward, with sports betting representing an opportunity to benefit all of them.
Evers also pointed out that he would back a “joint venture” between the communities or something similar.
“What I will not accept is a plan that fractures this opportunity into unequal pieces, allowing some Tribes to reap great benefits while leaving only crumbs for others,” Evers said. “An approach that exacerbates long-standing inequalities among Tribal Nations is not good for Wisconsinites or Wisconsin. I will not entertain it as governor.”
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