MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers legalizes online sports betting, while acknowledging challenges lie ahead.
The Governor in a statement says he’s signing the bill because “my obligation as governor is always to respect the sovereignty of Tribal Nations in Wisconsin”.
“This legislation is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one. The real work begins today,” said Evers. “Each of the 11 Tribes must now work diligently-and together-to shape the future of sports betting
in Wisconsin.”
Evers had expressed concern over all of the state’s 11 federally recognized tribes being in agreement on the parameters of the bill, but in a letter sent by the tribes April 8 leaders formally requested the Governor sign the legislation.
The bill will allow native tribes to operate sports betting apps where the app’s server is located on tribal land, following the “hub-and-spoke” model adopted in some other U.S. states. The Sports Betting Alliance, which represents companies such as FanDuel and DraftKings formally opposed the bill as it made its way through Madison, arguing the tribal revenue structure makes participation economically for the companies they represent impossible.
With the bill’s passage, Wisconsin is now the 33rd state in the nation to legalize online sports betting in some form.
It’s not known if any organization will file a formal challenge to the law.
This is a breaking news story; more information will be added as it becomes available.
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