The Wisconsin Assembly has passed legislation authorizing statewide online sports betting under tribal control and establishing new rules for University of Wisconsin athletes’ name, image and likeness agreements. Both measures now move to the Senate for consideration.
Assembly Bill 601 passed on a unanimous voice vote without floor debate. The bill allows the state’s 11 federally recognized tribes to offer mobile sports wagering, provided servers processing bets remain on tribal land. Wisconsin currently permits in-person betting at tribal casinos, while online wagering is prohibited.
The proposal redefines a bet to include wagers via mobile devices. Expansion would require renegotiation of tribal gaming compacts and Bureau of Indian Affairsapproval. If the Senate passes it unchanged, the bill would advance to Governor Tony Evers, who has expressed support for a tribal-exclusive framework.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu noted uncertainty about the measure’s prospects. “I think from a policy standpoint, it makes sense,” he said. “I don’t know if we can get it across the finish line.” The Senate must approve it as written or return amendments to the Assembly; failure would require reintroduction in 2027.
Tribal Exclusivity and Industry Pushback
AB 601 mirrors a structure used in Florida, where online wagers route through servers located on tribal land. Under the Wisconsin proposal, tribes could partner with sportsbook operators while retaining control through their gaming compacts. Both tribal leaders and professional sports teams in the state have expressed support.
Tribal representatives have argued that expanding online wagering would help counter the growth of prediction markets and the ease of placing bets in neighboring Illinois, where mobile sports betting is legal. Some lawmakers have also cited prediction markets and their sports event contracts as a concern, saying they bypass Wisconsin’s tribal sovereignty requirements.
The Sports Betting Alliance, which represents bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics and FanDuel, has objected to a provision requiring tribes to retain 60% of revenue generated from online betting. SBA representative Damon Stewart criticized the structure during prior discussions.
“Online sports betting is a low-margin and capital-intensive business. It is simply not economically feasible for a commercial operator to hand over 60% just for the right to operate in the state,” Stewart said.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos acknowledged concerns about gambling expansion while emphasizing the state’s longstanding framework. “That’s the way it is. We can’t fix that,” Vos said. “That’s why some people just have to accept where we are or at least talk about it. I have concerns about problem gambling as well, but I don’t think having it only on the internet or only in a bar or restaurant after hours makes any sense, so we have to just talk through that.”
NIL Rules for UW Athletes
Separately, the Assembly approved legislation regulating University of Wisconsin athletes’ NIL agreements, passing with only one no vote. The bill allows student-athletes to hire agents and permits universities to facilitate deals on their behalf. Endorsements involving tobacco, alcohol or illegal activities are prohibited, and certain records may remain confidential “when competitive reasons require confidentiality.”
Source:
“Wisconsin Assembly passes bills on online sports betting, college athlete endorsements”, wisconsinexaminer.com, February 19, 2026
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