Wisconsin lawmakers move closer to legalizing online sports betting statewide
A bipartisan bill to legalize mobile sports betting in Wisconsin is advancing rapidly, with tribal support and a potential Assembly vote imminent, though opposition in the State Senate remains a key hurdle.
Wisconsin lawmakers are moving closer than ever to legalizing online sports betting, as a bipartisan proposal backed by tribal nations, professional sports teams, and legislative leadership advances toward a possible Assembly floor vote.
The effort, which would allow statewide mobile wagering through Wisconsin’s tribal casinos, has accelerated since lawmakers returned to Madison on January 13, 2026, following months of negotiation and growing pressure to modernize the state’s gambling framework.
A Rare Bipartisan Effort Gains Speed
The bill is being co-authored by Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Walworth) and Assistant Minority Leader Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee), reflecting unusual bipartisan alignment on a politically sensitive issue.
During a recent episode of Spectrum News 1’s “In Focus,” August said momentum has been building steadily, with Assembly leadership signaling that a vote could come as early as this week.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has also indicated openness to advancing the proposal now that lawmakers are back in session.
According to the Wisconsin Examiner, the legislation has moved quickly through committee consideration, driven by the belief that Wisconsin is losing significant betting revenue to neighboring states, particularly Illinois, where mobile sports betting is already legal.
How the Tribal ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ Model Would Work
At the heart of the proposal is a tribal-led “hub-and-spoke” model, which would allow Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes to offer mobile sports betting statewide.
Under the plan:
- Sports betting apps could be accessed anywhere in Wisconsin.
- Servers would be physically located on tribal land, preserving tribal sovereignty and aligning with federal gaming law.
- Each tribe would control its own platform or partner with an operator, rather than opening the market to commercial sportsbooks.
Tribal representatives, including leaders from the Forest County Potawatomi, have expressed support for the framework, arguing that it simply modernizes existing compacts rather than creating a new commercial gambling market.
Supporters say the model keeps revenue within Wisconsin while allowing tribes to compete with out-of-state sportsbooks that currently attract Wisconsin bettors across the border.
Sports Teams and Industry Back the Proposal
The proposal has drawn reported support from Wisconsin’s professional sports franchises, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks, which see legal sports betting as a way to increase fan engagement while keeping wagering regulated and transparent.
Industry advocates argue that legalization would:
- Capture revenue already being spent illegally or out of state
- Provide consumer protections currently lacking in offshore betting markets
- Create new revenue streams for tribes without expanding physical casinos
Proponents also point to responsible-gaming tools and safeguards that would be required under tribal compacts, including self-exclusion and betting limits.
Opposition and Senate Resistance Loom
Despite momentum in the Assembly, the bill faces a more uncertain path in the Wisconsin State Senate.
Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) has already announced he plans to vote against the legislation, citing concerns about gambling addiction and what he describes as a tribal monopoly on sports wagering.
Advocacy groups such as Stop Predatory Gambling have also raised objections. During the Spectrum News 1 discussion, nonprofit director Les Bernal warned that mobile betting could increase problem gambling by making wagering more accessible and less visible than in-person casino betting.
Senate leadership has not yet committed to bringing the bill forward, raising questions about whether the legislation can clear both chambers even if it passes the Assembly.
What Comes Next
If the Assembly approves the bill, negotiations would shift toward:
- Potential amendments to address Senate concerns
- Clarifying how existing tribal gaming compacts would be modified
- Establishing implementation timelines and regulatory oversight
For now, Wisconsin stands at a crossroads familiar to many Midwestern states: balancing tribal sovereignty, consumer demand, and public health concerns against the reality that sports betting is already happening just outside state lines.
A Defining Moment for Wisconsin Gambling Policy
The bipartisan push to legalize online sports betting represents one of the most consequential gambling policy debates Wisconsin has faced in years.
With tribal nations aligned, professional sports teams supportive and legislative leaders signaling urgency, the Assembly vote could mark a turning point.
Yet with Senate opposition unresolved, the bill’s ultimate fate remains uncertain. Whether Wisconsin joins the growing list of states with legal mobile sports betting may hinge not on public demand, but on whether lawmakers can reconcile concerns over access, addiction, and tribal control in the weeks ahead.
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