Gov. Evers considers bill letting tribes offer statewide sports betting

Gov. Tony Evers received Assembly Bill 601 on Thursday and has six days, Sundays excluded, to sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.

AB 601 would let each of Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes offer online sports betting statewide if the tribes negotiate or amend gaming compacts with the state and obtain federal approval.

Under the bill, participating tribes could host betting servers on tribal land. Anyone 21 or older and physically present in Wisconsin could place bets through mobile apps or websites that connect to those servers.

Current state law limits sports betting to tribal land. Courts have upheld similar compact-driven arrangements in other states after federal review.

The Senate sent the bill to the governor following a 21-12 vote in which a majority of Democrats joined Republicans. Republicans hold majorities in both legislative chambers.

Eight tribes sent a letter to the governor backing the bill. The Menominee Indian Tribe, Oneida Nation and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa did not join that letter. The Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers have publicly supported the measure. The Sports Betting Alliance, representing several major operators, has opposed the bill.

Evers has expressed concerns and said he is in discussions with tribal leaders and state officials about whether the proposal ensures fair treatment among tribal nations. He told local reporters, “For me, it’s always been making sure that we have some kind of equity among tribal nations in Wisconsin. At last blush, it looked like that type of equity that we’re looking for wasn’t necessarily there.”

Sen. Chris Kapenga criticized the bill in a constituent newsletter, calling its passage one of the “lowlights” of the session and writing, “Most of us have the common sense to see the dangers of expanding legalized gambling, including the social and financial harm.”

If Evers signs the bill, Wisconsin would join 31 states and the District of Columbia that allow statewide online sports betting in some form. If he vetoes it, the legislature could attempt an override depending on vote margins. If he takes no action within the allotted time, the measure would become law without his signature.