Wisconsin Could Legalize Online Betting Statewide

Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a new bipartisan proposal that could bring online sports betting to the entire state, expanding access beyond tribal lands where it’s currently limited.

“Gambling Knows No Political Line”

Under Wisconsin’s constitution, gambling is only allowed at tribal casinos like Potawatomi in Milwaukee. However, the new bill aims to create a workaround that would let residents place bets anywhere, as long as the wagers are routed through servers located on tribal property.

The idea has drawn support from both Republicans and Democrats. “I’m sure gambling knows no political line,” said Rep. Robert Wittke (R–District 63). Wittke, along with Rep. Christine Sinicki (D–District 20), says the change would help make betting more transparent and easier to oversee.

“The people who are gambling online right now are going to continue to gamble. And it’s actually going to make it easier to regulate,” Wittke said.

Sinicki echoed that point, saying the bill does not focus on creating new gamblers, but on acknowledging what’s already happening. “What this does is it legalizes online betting. Which is currently going on now, but illegally,” she said.

“Why Wouldn’t We Join In?”

If passed, the measure would allow bettors to place wagers from their own homes, with the bets processed through tribal servers. The model mirrors Florida’s hub-and-spoke system, which has withstood court challenges.

“I could be sitting in my house, placing a bet online,” Sinicki explained. “As long as that server is on tribal land and going to that server through the tribes, it’s legal.”

Wittke added that Wisconsin is lagging behind its neighbors. “The states around us already have a plan in place. So why wouldn’t we join in on that and legalize it and make it more transparent?” he said.

Supporters argue that both the state and tribes stand to gain financially. “Win for the tribes, they are going to get a little bit more money out of it, our percentage that we get, the state will get more money out of it,” Sinicki said.

The proposal needs to pass committee hearings before moving reaching the Legislature.