Wisconsin Begins Negotiating to Launch Mobile Sports Betting

Dairyland lawmakers have signed off on legalizing online sports betting in Wisconsin, but another crucial hurdle remains.

Governor Evers has welcomed representatives from 11 Wisconsin tribes to open negotiations on a new gaming compact. While both sides have agreed to expand sports betting in the state, the details still need to be finalized. Once completed, the state will be able to begin planning the market’s launch.

Wisconsin lawmakers opted to legalize the industry by expanding the state’s tribal gaming compact under the Indian Regulatory Act. This allows the state to skip some hurdles, but also hands control of the market to the tribes. As a result, the two sides will have equal say when finalizing the regulatory framework.

While it’s impossible to predict how negotiations will play out, Evers and the tribes have been largely aligned over the last few months. 

“Shortly after taking office in 2019, one of my first acts as governor was signing Executive Order #18 to reaffirm my commitment to respecting each Tribe's sovereign authority over its people and its territory,” Evers shared in a statement in April. “ I promised I would always meaningfully consult Tribal leaders and governments on matters directly impacting each respective Nation. To me, keeping that promise has been the most important part of this process-to ensure the state of Wisconsin is not making decisions for and about 11 Tribal Nations without all 11 Tribal Nations.”

Wisconsin has yet to announce a target date to launch mobile betting, but that should change once negotiations with the tribes are complete.

Big Questions Over Commercial Operators Remain

Wisconsin’s effort to legalize mobile betting faced strong opposition. Some had fears over the impact on problem gambling, but the majority believed having a tribal-centric market would limit its success.

As of today, commercial operators must share 60% of their revenue with their tribal partner. The Sports Betting Alliance has already warned that its members, which include DraftKings and FanDuel, will skip entering the new market as a result.

Lawmakers modeled their proposal to follow Florida’s sports betting market. However, the Sunshine State made the deal with the massive Seminole Tribe, which already operated Hard Rock Bet across several states. While Florida bettors don’t have options when placing their wagers, the sportsbook offers one of the best platforms in the country.

Wisconsin does not have a tribe that currently offers online sports betting statewide. If commercial operators decide not to pursue the market, those tribes would need to create their own platforms. The lack of experience led some lawmakers to fear that tribal sportsbooks won’t be able to match commercial platforms, which could drive local bettors to seek alternatives.