A bill legalizing online sports betting in Wisconsin is heading to Gov. Tony Evers.
The Wisconsin Senate approved Assembly Bill 601, 21-12, Tuesday afternoon. Evers has voiced support for the Wisconsin sports betting expansion previously. If signed, state would need to renegotiate tribal compacts and receive federal approval to launch online sportsbooks.
Heading into the week, there the need for bipartisan support on the issue was a wedge within the Republican Party, which controls the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu and Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein reportedly put together a deal to pass both the sports betting bill and a separate bill related to the University of Wisconsin and name, image and likeness.
Members from parties also opposed the bill, with Republican Sen. Steve Nass calling the process “very corrupt.”
What Wisconsin sports betting includes
The bill changes the state’s definition of a bet. It expands to all the state’s 11 tribes to offer online sports betting products. Wisconsin receives a portion of tribal gaming revenues, including $66 million in 2024.
It follows a similar system to the hub-and-spoke model used in Florida for Hard Rock Bet. The legislative language requires sportsbook servers to be on tribal land. The states tribes and professional sports teams supports the legislation.
During a hearing last year, the Sports Betting Alliance opposed the bill, saying the tribal exclusivity did not make sense for their operations. The SBA represents bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel.
Sports betting shakes up political leadership
Ahead of the Wisconsin reconvening this week to finish up its work this session, Sen. Chris Kapenga told WISN-TV that LeMahieu could lose his leadership post if he called the sports betting bill for a vote. Kapenga, a Republican, told the station that the issue would not pass without Democrat votes, breaking a historical norm.
“I hope the majority leader doesn’t go there,” Kapenga told WISN 12. “I think it’s very dangerous for him if he does go there, so I just hope it doesn’t happen. Historically, usually a majority leader does not come back if he breaks the rule of 17. So I hope the majority leader takes that into account as he looks at it.”
On Monday, local media reported LeMahieu will not seek reelection.
Path to Senate approval
Discussion on AB 601 began last year, when Rep. Tyler August introduced the bill. Lawmakers pulled the bill before the new year, opting for further discussion between sessions. Entering this year’s session, House Speaker Robin Vos said the chamber was working on sports betting.
The House passed the bill in a unanimous vote without discussion on he last day of its session last month. At the time, LeMahieu said the upper chamber had not spent “a lot of time” on the issue.
“I think from a policy standpoint, it makes sense,” he said. “I don’t know if we can get its across the finish line.”
