Wisconsin Sports Betting to be Legal in Shocking Last Minute Deal
Wisconsin sports betting is pending approval from the US Department of the Interior.
Legal sports betting in Wisconsin could be live by the beginning of football season because of a shocking deal between Governor Tony Evers and the Oneida Nation. Oneida controls gaming in the state, and it did not appear that the two sides would compromise for legal sports betting.
Evers and the Oneida Nation agreed to a new tribal compact that would allow the tribe to open retail sportsbooks at their casinos. All compacts must be approved at the federal level by the Department of the Interior, and the body has 45 days to acknowledge the deal.
If the Department of the Interior approved the compact, sports betting would be permitted throughout the state at tribal casinos.
A Shocking Turn of Events for Wisconsin Sports Betting
Thursday’s compact announcement in Wisconsin stunned the United States legal betting industry. Wisconsin was part of a small group of states that had not seriously considered sports betting.
The legislature has been unable to garner any substantial political momentum since the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was outlawed in 2018. The governor claimed that sports betting would take at least a half-year of serious negotiations with the Oneida tribe.
Governor Evers seemed stunned as he announced the tribal compact on Thursday. The compact was a shocking but exciting turn of events for the state.
He said, “This is a historic day for our state and will serve as a major milestone for our state’s partnership with the Oneida nation for generations to come.”
Industry experts believed that Wisconsin would be one of the last states in America to legalize sports betting. It’s evident that this was inaccurate following Thursday’s tribal compact agreement.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Details
Sports betting will only be allowed at tribal gaming facilities throughout the state. States with widespread mobile betting do best in the legal industry, but the state is excited to have any wagering permitted.
The Oneida Nation declared that they would have kiosks and betting stations at some of its casinos in the state. Additionally, mobile wagering will be allowed on mobile land. This is convenient for frequent casino visitors who like to play a variety of games at the facilities.
Although, mobile betting on tribal land will not significantly increase the tribe’s handle or revenue.
The Oneida tribe is also planning to open a temporary sportsbook near its sports bar at its leading casino. This property is positioned near Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. The constant traffic at the airport makes this property frequented by visitors to the state.
All professional sports will be listed on sportsbooks. College betting is also permitted except on in-state athletic programs like the University of Wisconsin. Additionally, betting on awards shows like the Oscars or GRAMMYs will be legal.
There are close to two dozen tribal casinos in Wisconsin, and the Oneida Nation has the plan to expand gaming quickly. It would not be surprising for a future statewide mobile betting deal to be discussed in the legislature.
Although, the Oneida Nation is currently determined to launch sports betting quickly to take advantage of football season.
