Key Moments:
- Lawmakers in Wisconsin have introduced a bill to legalize online sports betting with servers located on tribal land
- The proposal suggests changes to state-tribal gaming agreements, following a model similar to Florida’s
- Rep. Kalan Haywood emphasized goals of increasing revenue for the state and tribes while enhancing market safety and transparency
Legislative Proposal Details
A bipartisan coalition in Wisconsin has submitted Bill LRB-4723/1, aiming to legalize online sports betting across the state by permitting sportsbook servers to operate on tribal land. The bill seeks to amend existing state-tribal gaming agreements, broadening the current scope, which only allows in-person sports betting at tribal casinos.
Lawmakers Behind the Effort
The initiative is being led by Representatives Tyler August and Kalan Haywood, joined by Senators Howard Marklein and Kristin Dassler-Alfheim. Their proposal could reshape Wisconsin’s betting landscape, serving as a new regulatory pathway for online wagering activity.
Comparative Regulatory Model
The proposed legislation draws a parallel to the arrangement currently active in Florida, where Hard Rock Bet is the single authorized online sports betting operator through a gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As with similar compacts, any updated agreements would require approval from the US Department of the Interior before implementation.
Objectives and Expected Impact
Rep. Kalan Haywood, a co-author of the bill, stated: “This legislation is an important step to bring Wisconsin in alignment with the majority of the country in regards to sports wagering. For too long, illegal, offshore entities have profited from consumers through unregulated sports wagering, without generating revenue for local economies. By regulating this multi-billion-dollar industry, we can provide a safer mobile wagering experience for Wisconsin consumers and generate much needed revenue to invest into our communities.”
| Aspect | Current Status | Proposed Change |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Betting Legality | Permitted in-person on tribal land only | Online betting allowed via servers on tribal land |
| Regulatory Approach | Limited to physical locations | Modeled after Florida’s online tribal gaming compact |
| Revenue Beneficiaries | Tribes | State, Tribes, Municipalities |
- Author
Daniel Williams
