2025 Wisconsin Act 247: A New Era for Online Sports Betting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently signed Assembly Bill 601, now known as 2025 Wisconsin Act 247, allowing online sports betting in the state. The bill permits online gambling as long as the servers for the apps are located on tribal lands. This move brings Wisconsin closer to neighboring states like Illinois, where mobile gambling is already legal. Tribal leaders in Wisconsin played a significant role in advocating for the bill's passage.
While Governor Evers approved the bill, he expressed some reservations about it, emphasizing that it marks the beginning of a dialogue rather than the conclusion. He urged the state's tribes to collaborate to ensure that no single group benefits disproportionately from the revenue generated by gambling activities. Evers emphasized the importance of avoiding further disparities among Tribal Nations in Wisconsin.
The deadline for Governor Evers to either sign or veto the bill was Thursday. This legislation opens up new opportunities for online sports betting in Wisconsin, with a focus on equitable distribution of benefits among the state's tribal communities. The bill's approval signals a step forward in the state's approach to online gambling regulation.