Published on: March 18, 2026, 09:58h.
Updated on: March 18, 2026, 09:58h.
- Wisconsin legislators have approved online sports betting
- Bets must be made via computer servers located on tribal territories
- Tribes are entitled to retain 60% of the gross revenue from sports betting
Online sports betting appears to be on the way in Wisconsin, although a critical requirement of the tribal gaming expansion might restrict the entry of major mobile sportsbook operators into the market.
Much like Florida, where the Seminole Tribe holds exclusive rights for online sports betting, Assembly Bill 601 in Wisconsin proposes granting the state’s federally recognized tribes exclusive rights to online sports wagering. Federal rulings indicate that a “hub-and-spoke” model—which maintains tribal sportsbook servers on tribal land while accepting bets from other locations—qualifies as tribal gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
If signed into law by Governor Tony Evers (D), AB601 would enable Wisconsin’s 11 recognized tribes to manage online sports wagering. Tribal casinos have offered in-person sports betting since November 2021 due to revised Class III gaming agreements with the state.
Concerns Over Revenue Sharing
Wisconsin restricts casino gaming to tribal lands. Efforts by sports betting advocates to allow commercial sportsbooks to enter the online market were unsuccessful. The tribes successfully maintained their dominant position in both casino operations and sports betting.
The IGRA requires that “no less than 60% of the net revenues” from tribal gaming remain with the respective tribe. Consequently, companies such as FanDuel or DraftKings would be unable to retain over 40% of the revenue generated through a partnership with tribal operations in Wisconsin.
This arrangement functions effectively in Florida, where the Seminole Tribe utilizes Hard Rock Bet for its online sports wagering operations. Hard Rock Digital is a subsidiary fully owned by the Seminoles.
The Sports Betting Alliance, which includes members like FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics, BetMGM, and bet365, argues that the tribal revenue sharing requirement will deter major industry players, negatively impacting revenue for both tribes and state tax collections.
“It is simply not financially viable for a commercial operator to give away 60% or more of its revenue to a local gaming entity for the privilege to operate in the state,” remarked Sports Betting Alliance representative Damon Stewart in testimony submitted last year. “Online sports betting operates on thin margins and requires substantial capital investment.”
Stewart concluded that sports bettors in Wisconsin may not have access to the “national brands they frequently see advertised on television.”
Are Sportsbooks Uncertain?
With around six million residents, many of whom are avid sports fans supporting teams like the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and University of Wisconsin Badgers, the market could still attract commercial sportsbooks despite opposition to the 60% revenue share.
In Arkansas, while not a tribal gaming jurisdiction, online sportsbooks partnering with casinos are limited to retaining no more than 49% of sports betting revenue. This setup kept companies like DraftKings and FanDuel at bay for a number of years, but they have recently opted to enter the Arkansas market.
DraftKings has teamed up with Southland Casino Hotel in West Memphis, while FanDuel has partnered with Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs. In this situation, the casinos retain 51% of the total sports betting revenue.