Published on: November 11, 2025, at 07:55h.
Updated on: November 11, 2025, at 07:55h.
- Continued Discussions on Wisconsin Online Sports Betting in Madison
- State Legislators Believe Federal Law Permits Tribes to Accept Online Sports Bets under Specific Conditions
Legislative efforts to introduce online sports betting in Wisconsin are gaining traction in the capital city of Madison.
Recently, Casino.org reported on the introduction of bills in both the state Senate and Assembly aiming to replicate Florida’s hub-and-spoke model for tribal online sports betting in Wisconsin.
Federal court rulings have established that federally recognized tribes with state privileges for sports betting on their sovereign lands can legally take online wagers, provided the tribe’s server for the online sportsbook resides on tribal territory.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has ruled, and this has been upheld by federal courts, that the hub-and-spoke model is compliant with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which governs gaming on tribal lands.
Legislation Moves Forward
Currently, Wisconsin’s sports betting landscape is restricted to tribal casinos operated by 11 compacted tribes, which hold a monopoly over casino gaming and sports wagering.
Senate Bill 592 and its counterpart, Assembly Bill 601, intend to broaden the scope of sports betting to include online platforms. Both bills had a public hearing on November 4, where much support was shown for enabling tribes to manage online sportsbooks.
Advocates argue that online sports betting is flourishing in Wisconsin, albeit through unregulated offshore sportsbooks that evade taxes, lack responsible gambling measures, and are not subject to oversight for fair practices. Without regulation, there are no assurances for consumer safety regarding funds or winnings.
“This bill is a critical first step in ensuring that consumers have a legal, regulated, and secure means of participating in this immensely popular activity,” stated Jim Crawford, the attorney general for the Potawatomi, as reported by the Wisconsin Examiner.
Opposition has also emerged, with common arguments suggesting that legitimate online sports betting could lead to increased gambling-related issues and financial distress.
The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) advocates for legislative measures supporting iGaming and sports betting. Members, including major sports betting players like DraftKings and FanDuel, are pushing Wisconsin legislators to revisit the revenue-sharing terms of SB592/AB601.
The SBA contends that the IGRA’s requirement for tribes to receive a minimum of 60% of online sports betting revenue might deter commercial sportsbook operators. The lobbying group proposed that Wisconsin might benefit from allowing online sports betting outside of IGRA, similar to what neighboring Michigan has done.
The SBA argues that if the regulations fail to attract renowned names like DraftKings and FanDuel, the offshore market, including well-known brands, will continue to dominate over tribal ventures.
To legitimize online sports betting for tribes beyond IGRA’s regulations, Wisconsin may need a statewide ballot referendum to amend the state constitution.
Senate Bill Progress
In the wake of public hearings regarding online sports betting in Wisconsin, lawmakers have been concentrating on advancing SB592 within the Senate. Recently, the bill passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue with a 5-3 vote.
SB592 is now ready for a full Senate vote.
As of now, no state has enacted legislation to legalize sports betting in 2025, with Missouri being the last state to authorize sports gambling during the November 2024 election.