Published on: April 10, 2026, 08:17h.
Updated on: April 10, 2026, 08:17h.
- Wisconsin legalizes online sports betting
- Online sportsbooks designated for tribal nations with Class III gaming agreements
- Governor Evers aims for inclusive benefits from mobile sports betting for all tribes
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) has enacted new laws permitting the state’s 11 federally recognized tribes to accept online sports wagers. With the signing of Assembly Bill 601, Evers has implemented several conditions that need to be addressed.
AB601 introduces a “hub-and-spoke” model of online sports betting for tribal entities, inspired by the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Bet in Florida. Federal rulings affirm that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allows Class III gaming, including online sports betting, provided the servers used for mobile wagering remain on tribal lands.
Tribal leaders in Wisconsin argue that allowing online sports betting will generate significant revenue for their sovereign economies, ultimately improving the quality of life and promoting stability. In states permitting both in-person and online sports betting, remote bets dominate, accounting for over 90% of total bets.
Given that many tribal casinos are located in rural areas, their physical sportsbooks have not yielded substantial benefits.
Governor’s Expectations
Evers is advocating for an equitable approach, ensuring that all tribes benefit fairly from the expansion of online sports betting.
“This legislation marks the start of an ongoing dialogue, not a conclusion. The real work is only beginning,” Evers stated.
“Each of the 11 tribes must collaborate effectively to shape Wisconsin’s sports betting landscape. I will not accept a proposal that divides this opportunity unequally, ensuring that some tribes gain substantial rewards while others are left with little,” the governor emphasized.
Evers is seeking an “equitable framework” in which tribal nations share both the risks and benefits inherent in mobile gaming. He believes that a joint initiative where each tribe enjoys equal shares could yield the best outcomes.
Before commencing online sports betting, each tribal nation must revise its Class III gaming compact with Evers, with the aim of creating standard amendments.
Concerns Over Revenue Sharing
Another issue surrounding AB601 is its potential to deter major market players like DraftKings and FanDuel from forming partnerships with tribal casinos. As AB601 only sanctions new modes of tribal gaming, federal law stipulates that at least 60% of the gross revenue derived from online sports betting must remain with the tribes.
The Sports Betting Alliance, which includes DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, and bet365, argued that these revenue-sharing requirements would make the market less appealing. The SBA urged Wisconsin legislators to permit commercial sportsbooks online to collaborate with tribes, but the state did not accommodate this request.
The SBA maintains that excluding major sportsbook brands will hinder Wisconsin’s online sports betting sector from realizing its full potential, adversely affecting both tribal casinos and local sports betting consumers.
In Arkansas, although not a tribal context, there is a mandate that 51% of an online sportsbook’s revenue must stay with its affiliated land-based casino. Initially, DraftKings and FanDuel expressed similar concerns regarding revenue-sharing, but after persistent lobbying, they applied for and obtained online sportsbook licenses earlier this year.