Legislative momentum for online sports betting is growing in the Wisconsin Assembly, although officials recognize that the initiative could be delayed without involvement from the state Senate.

Robin Vos, the speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, stated that efforts are ongoing to develop a bipartisan bill aimed at legalizing online sports betting across the state, with an Assembly vote anticipated in the coming months. The original proposal was withdrawn from a November vote but has seen a resurgence in support within the lower chamber.

Vos mentioned that the legislation is intended to govern activity he characterized during a December 30 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as “already occurring” in Wisconsin, aiming to establish a clear framework.

Nevertheless, Vos and fellow lawmakers have suggested that advancement in the Assembly does not guarantee progress in the state Senate, where it remains uncertain if the bill will be brought to the floor for a vote.

As part of the proposal, Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes would have exclusive rights to offer online sports betting. All bets would need to be processed through servers situated on tribal land, a structure proponents argue complies with state constitutional requirements.

Vos indicated that if the bill reaches Tony Evers’ desk, the governor is likely to endorse it, provided it has support from tribal leaders. Many Democrats, including Evers, have expressed their support for the legislation under this condition.

Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, responded to concerns regarding the exclusivity of online sports betting to tribal operators. He expressed, “While some believe this option should not be limited to Native American tribes, I respect their concerns; however, the revenue potential is considerable, making this initiative worthwhile,” Steffen stated.

The bill has encountered opposition from national sports betting companies and legal advocacy organizations. The Sports Betting Alliance, representing major entities like DraftKings and FanDuel, criticized previous versions of the proposal, pointing to complications related to a revenue-sharing model that permits tribes to keep 60% of sports betting revenues.

Further resistance has arisen from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, which cited constitutional issues in a memorandum. The group warned, “If Wisconsin alters state law to create a betting monopoly for tribal groups, it poses significant risks for all forms of gaming in Wisconsin. The law could be contested in federal court as an unconstitutional racial classification, challenging Wisconsin’s entire gaming framework.”

Despite these challenges, supporters in the Assembly believe the bill has enough support to pass. State Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, D-Appleton, noted that the lack of Senate action continues to be the main hurdle. “The governor appears supportive, and the tribes are eager to see this move forward. The majority of the legislature believes this should pass; there’s no reason for the state Senate not to schedule it for a vote as a caucus,” she stated.