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Wisconsin has officially joined the growing list of states allowing online sports betting after Governor Tony Evers signed Assembly Bill 601 into law.
The measure passed on the final day of the Senate’s 2026 regular session with bipartisan support, clearing by a vote of 21–12. With Evers’ signature, Wisconsin becomes the 33rd state to legalize the practice.
Even with the law in place, residents won’t be able to place bets right away. The legislation requires the state to negotiate new agreements with American Indian tribes, who will operate the sports betting platforms. That process could take months before the market is ready to launch.
“The real work begins today,” Evers said in a statement reported by AP. “Each of the 11 Tribes must now work diligently-and together-to shape the future of sports betting in Wisconsin. … An approach that exacerbates long-standing inequalities among Tribal Nations is not good for Wisconsinites or Wisconsin. I will not entertain it as governor.”
Wisconsin to use Florida’s hub-and-spoke model
Sports betting in Wisconsin has always been tied to tribal lands, and the new law keeps that structure intact. Online wagers will only be permitted if the servers and systems that process them are located on tribal property.
This setup resembles Florida’s “hub‑and‑spoke” model, where tribes act as the central hub and all online play is routed through them.
The compacts already in place mean a share of tribal gambling revenue flows back to the state, with more than $66 million paid in 2024. Governor Evers has said the expansion offers a chance “to support mental health programs and to combat the opioid crisis, two issues that I know plague both Tribal Nations and communities across our state.”
Supporters, including several tribes and the Milwaukee Brewers, argue that legal online betting will keep players from turning to offshore sites or crossing into neighboring states like Illinois. However, not everyone is convinced.
The Sports Betting Alliance, representing major operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM, and Fanatics, opposed the measure. “It is simply not economically feasible for a commercial operator to hand over 60% or more of its revenue to an in-state gaming entity, just for the right to operate in the state,” stated Damon Stewart of the SBA.
The group confirmed that it would prefer a constitutional amendment opening the market to all operators.
Bill might head to court
Governor Evers was hesitant with the bill at first, but changed his mind after confirming that all 11 federally recognized tribes were on board. These tribes are now negotiating how to put Wisconsin’s new sports betting law into practice.
Even with that progress, the measure may still face another hurdle. Some conservative groups have already signaled they plan to challenge the legislation, insisting that online wagering cannot move forward without a constitutional amendment.
