Wisconsin Lawmakers Consider New Bill to Legalize Online Sports Betting
A new bipartisan bill being floated by legislators in the Wisconsin sports betting market would make online sports betting legal statewide on the pattern of Florida's market, which permits tribes to provide digital betting from servers on tribal premises. Currently, Wisconsin sports betting is limited to in-person betting at tribal casinos operating under amended gaming compacts.
The new bill, not yet formally introduced, would extend that authorization statewide. Under the proposed "hub-and-spoke" system, wagers placed anywhere in Wisconsin would be considered legal as long as the bets are processed through servers physically situated on tribal land.
This approach mirrors the Seminole Tribe's Hard Rock Bet framework in the Florida sports betting market. The legality of the tribe's sports betting was upheld after several years of legal challenges, ending with the US Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case in June 2024.
Sponsors of the Wisconsin bill include Representatives Tyler August and Kalan Haywood, as well as Senators Howard Marklein and Kristin Dassler-Alfheim. The legislation is currently being circulated for additional co-sponsors before Wednesday.
It remains unclear whether Wisconsin tribes will be allowed to partner with the best sports betting sites. Florida has restricted its market to the Seminole Tribe's proprietary system, which has indicated in the past that it was willing to work with commercial operators.
DraftKings already operates a retail sportsbook in Wisconsin through a 2024 access deal with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The partnership allows DraftKings to run kiosks and a counter at the tribe's Lake of the Torches Resort Casino.
Ho-Chunk Nation secures $610 million for Beloit Casino Resort
As legislators are mulling increases in digital betting, the tribal gaming industry in Wisconsin is expanding its physical footprint as well. The Ho-Chunk Nation sealed $610 million in senior credit facilities to support its delayed casino resort venture in Beloit, signaling renewed life for megascale tribal investments. Residents of the state don't have access to real-money online casinos.
The financing package, closed in late September, includes revolving and delayed-draw loan components totaling $610 million, supported by roughly $95 million in tribal equity. These funds will go toward completing the $705 million resort complex, which sits near the Illinois border and will serve as the centerpiece of the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin network of six casinos.
The Beloit project has been on the horizon for decades. City residents backed the idea in a 1999 referendum, and the tribe secured necessary approvals in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic then halted progress, sharply reducing tribal gaming income and forcing layoffs across the organization. Former leaders urged greater diversification to protect against similar disruptions in the future.
Construction resumed in 2024, with the casino expected to open in September 2026. The property will feature 1,500 slot machines, 40 table games, a 312-room hotel, a 2,000-seat convention center, and multiple dining and entertainment spaces, positioning it as one of Wisconsin's largest tribal gaming destinations.
