Wisconsin Begins Tribal Talks on Statewide Mobile Sports Betting

While Wisconsin has passed legislation to legalize sports betting, Governor Tony Evers has begun discussions with leaders of the state's 11 federally recognized Native tribes on how to implement legal online sports betting. 

Evers signed Assembly Bill 601 into law in April, which allows for legal online sports betting. However, mobile wagering cannot happen until gaming compacts with the tribes are renegotiated between the tribes, the state, and the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In Wisconsin, all gaming is tied to agreements between the state and the tribes, so they must be part of the process. 

According to a spokesperson for Evers, the meeting with the leaders "was just the first of many conversations that will need to be had going forward as the state and the Tribes move toward compact negotiations."

Wisconsin Must Renegotiate Tribal Gaming Compacts

With this new law, sports betting can be done anywhere in Wisconsin using a mobile device. 

With that, Evers is hoping to set it up so that all 11 federally recognized tribes also benefit. 

"What I will not accept is a plan that fractures this opportunity into unequal pieces, allowing some Tribes to reap great benefits while leaving only crumbs for others," Evers said when signing the legislation.

"An approach that exacerbates long-standing inequalities among Tribal Nations is not good for Wisconsinites or Wisconsin. I will not entertain it as governor," he added.

Furthermore, the governor's office noted that a governor cannot dictate what tribes must do with an agreement. Evers isn't seeking re-election and is leaving office at the end of this year. 

Some Lawmakers Continue to Oppose Gambling Expansion

While the current sports betting bill is being finalized, Wisconsin allows in-person sports betting at specific tribal casinos, but no mobile wagering is allowed. 

This sports betting legislation comes as some other lawmakers in the state, such as Rep. Tom Tiffany, oppose it. 

"For example, like the Kenosha casino that's been proposed, I do not support that. So I believe we should not expand gaming," Tiffany said.

As for mobile wagering, he said, "I would have to review the details of that a little bit more … to give you a definitive answer, but generally I've been opposed to expanding gaming here in Wisconsin."