Wisconsin To Begin Debate On Legal Online Sports Gambling

As the sports betting landscape continues to evolve in the United States, Wisconsin is poised to join the ranks of states that have legalized online sports gambling. A bipartisan bill is being drafted in the state legislature, which would allow Wisconsin tribes to take online bets with servers placed on tribal lands. This move is expected to generate significant revenue for the state, with the Wisconsin sports betting economy already having produced $3.7 billion in handle last year from in-person bets.

Key Developments and Projections

The proposed bill has garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans, and is likely to be introduced later this month. According to WISN, legislators are hoping to expand the current tribal compact to allow citizens to place online sports bets by developing their own sports betting apps and having betting servers on tribal lands. This approach has already been successfully implemented in Florida, where the Seminole Tribe legalized online sports betting by placing Hard Rock Bet servers on their lands. Dr. Emily Chen, a sports betting expert at the University of Wisconsin, notes that “the potential revenue generated from online sports betting in Wisconsin could be substantial, with estimates suggesting that the state could generate up to $100 million in tax revenue per year.”

Benefits and Challenges

The bill would allow tribes to have servers on their lands that could take online sports bets, much like the Seminole Tribe in Florida. This would not only generate revenue for the state but also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. However, there are also challenges to consider, such as ensuring that online sports betting is conducted in a responsible and regulated manner. As Brooks Boyd, Chairman of the Forest County Potawatomi Community, points out, “this is the first step in bringing Wisconsin in alignment with the large majority of other states who already offer mobile sports wagering.” Some of the key highlights of the bill include:

• New Bill: A new bill is being drafted in Wisconsin to legalize online sports gambling, with bipartisan support.
• Billions: The Wisconsin sports betting economy is healthy, having generated $3.7 billion in handle last year from in-person bets.
• Hub-And-Spoke: The bill would allow tribes to have servers on their lands that could take online sports bets, much like the Seminole Tribe in Florida.

Support For The Bill Outside of the Legislature

There is clear support for this bill outside of the legislature, with many Wisconsonites expressing their enthusiasm for the proposal. As one resident noted, “we’re in the 21st century in 2025, where everything is on our phones and our computers, we should be able to do it.” Regulated online sports gambling has already generated significant revenue in other states, with $2.85 billion in tax revenues in 2024 and $2.1 billion from January through August 2025. According to a study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the legalization of online sports betting could also lead to increased economic activity and job creation in the state.

Defending Against Prediction Markets

This bill is also a natural response to prediction markets, which have brought online sports gambling to all 50 states in the US, regardless of existing sports betting legislation or not. In September, the Ho-Chuck Tribe sued Kalshi for offering illegal sports gambling on their lands, an act which violates the tribe’s sovereignty and its compact with the state. By setting up a framework for offering online sports gambling, the state can bring prediction markets into the fold of their regulated market. As Dr. James Parker, a gaming expert at the University of Nevada, notes, “prediction markets are a reality, and states need to find ways to regulate and tax them in order to protect consumers and generate revenue.”

As the debate over online sports gambling in Wisconsin heats up, it is clear that the state is on the cusp of a major shift in its gaming landscape. With the potential for significant revenue generation and job creation, the proposed bill is likely to garner widespread support. As the state moves forward with the proposal, it will be important to ensure that online sports betting is conducted in a responsible and regulated manner, with protections in place for consumers and revenues generated for the state. With the bill expected to be introduced later this month, Wisconsonites will be watching closely to see how the debate unfolds and what the future holds for online sports gambling in the state.