Wisconsin Assembly Passes Sports Wagering Bill, Heads to Senate

The bill would allow the state's tribes to offer mobile sports betting if the bettor is in Wisconsin and the sportsbook servers are on tribal land.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Wisconsin Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would change the state's definition of 'bet' to allow the state's tribes to offer mobile sports wagering if the bettor is in Wisconsin and the sportsbook servers are on tribal land. The proposal cites a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a similar sports wagering model in Florida. The bill now heads to the Wisconsin Senate, where it remains unclear if it will be taken up.

Why it matters

Sports wagering is currently illegal in Wisconsin, but this bill would bring the activity into a legal and regulated framework through the state's tribal casinos. Proponents argue it will generate new revenue and reduce the risk to consumers from offshore operators, while some lawmakers are concerned about the high cost structure potentially deterring major national brands.

The details

The bill would amend the state's current compacts allowing for casino gambling and sports wagering on tribal lands, despite Wisconsin's overall ban on betting. It would allow for a similar 'hub-and-spoke' sports wagering model as Florida, where the state's sportsbook operators have servers on federally recognized tribal lands while users can be located anywhere in the state of Wisconsin.

  • The Wisconsin Assembly passed the bill on February 20, 2026, the final day the Assembly was scheduled to be in session.
  • In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the sports wagering pact between Florida and the Seminole tribe, which the Wisconsin bill cites as a precedent.

The players

Wisconsin Assembly

The lower chamber of the Wisconsin state legislature, which unanimously passed the sports wagering bill.

Wisconsin Senate

The upper chamber of the Wisconsin state legislature, which will now consider the sports wagering bill passed by the Assembly.

Gov. Tony Evers

The Governor of Wisconsin, who has voiced support for the plan to legalize sports wagering through the state's tribal casinos.

Rep. Robert Wittke

A Republican state representative from Caledonia, Wisconsin, who expressed concerns during committee discussion about the high cost structure potentially deterring major national sports betting brands.

Damon Stewart

Counsel for the Sports Betting Alliance, who testified that a requirement for tribes to receive 60% of the gross revenue from mobile sports wagering would be too high of a cost for top national brands.

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What they’re saying

“I think our citizens in Wisconsin are better served by keeping this new platform within our current gambling structure.”

— Rep. Robert Wittke, State Representative (The Black Chronicle)

“A requirement that 60% of the gross revenue from mobile sports wagering under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act would be too high of a cost for top national brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics and Bet365.”

— Damon Stewart, Sports Betting Alliance Counsel (The Black Chronicle)

What’s next

It remains unclear if the Wisconsin Senate will take up the sports wagering bill passed by the Assembly and send it to Gov. Tony Evers for his signature.

The takeaway

The passage of this bill in the Wisconsin Assembly represents a significant step towards legalizing sports betting in the state, but its fate in the Senate and the potential concerns over the cost structure for major national brands will be key factors in determining if and how sports wagering is ultimately implemented in Wisconsin.