Is Sports Betting Coming to Wisconsin? Key Insights

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Is Sports Betting Coming to Wisconsin?

Sports betting could be on its way to Wisconsin. The bill that could make this a reality has been sent to the governor, who has shown support for it. Unlike many states that have adopted a commercial model for sports betting, Wisconsin might follow a tribal-exclusive model, similar to what's seen in Florida.

This model entails tribes having exclusive rights to control online sports betting, with the requirement that the servers be located on tribal lands. The tribes would potentially partner with companies like DraftKings and FanDuel to offer these services. Last year, tribes contributed approximately $66 million in revenue to the state under the existing gaming framework.

However, the journey toward legalizing sports betting in Wisconsin has not been straightforward. The bill has necessitated bipartisan support, leading to internal divisions within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers have criticized the process as corrupt, while others have advised against bringing the bill to a vote. If passed, this legislation would extend the current tribal gaming model but would require renegotiation of tribal contracts with the state. Following renegotiation, the federal agency overseeing tribal activities would need to approve the changes.

It's important to note that even if the governor passes this bill, the implementation of sports betting in Wisconsin could still face delays. It is unlikely to be in place for the end of this or perhaps even the next tournament. Despite these challenges, the approval of this bill is a significant step towards introducing sports betting in Wisconsin, though it is clear that the process will take considerable time.