Wisconsin Assembly Puts Sports Betting Bill on Hold Until 2026

Bettors in the Badger State will need to wait a little longer.

The Wisconsin Assembly has put a bill to legalize online sports betting on hold until 2026. Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Walworth) announced the move this week, citing questions from several prominent Republicans over the proposal. The bill had initially been set for a vote on November 19. As lawmakers continue to debate the issue, a regulated Wisconsin sportsbook market remains on hold for at least another year.

While the bill’s delay is an ominous sign, August did share that he plans to review the bill early next year. This will give time to answer questions from concerned lawmakers while focusing on other important bills.

"We're going to work through those, and I expect that we'll be voting on it early next year," August, one of the bill's authors, told reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I'm confident that there's no rush on this. It's the right thing for the state, and I'm confident that we'll get there."

Reports suggest the bill has bipartisan support, but several conservative lobby groups have been registering their complaints with Republican lawmakers. This has led some to waver on their support while looking to address their constituents’ concerns.

Problem Gambling, Scandals Cited Among Concerns

Among the concerns over expanding gambling in Wisconsin were the national increase in problem gambling as well as betting scandals. 

André Jacque (R-New Franklin) was among those who spoke out against the bill, citing the recent scandal that hit the NBA. He believes the vulnerabilities that allowed the scandal have not been fixed, and the state should wait until they are resolved.

The increase in problem gambling is also a concern, with more stories coming out about the dangers of gambling addiction. That has led several lawmakers across the US to regret supporting legal sports betting, making those in Wisconsin more cautious.

While those concerns are valid, keeping sports betting outlawed isn’t necessarily a way to avoid them. Sports prediction markets continue to operate in all 50 states. While mounting lawsuits are looking to crack down on the industry, it remains largely unregulated. That means bettors in Wisconsin can wager using those platforms, even while sports betting remains illegal.