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A bill to legalize online sports betting in the great state of Wisconsin faces an uncertain future despite bipartisan support.
Pathway to Regulated Online Sports Betting in Wisconsin Uncertain
The measure, AB 601, is currently moving through the Wisconsin Legislature. It seeks to change state law to allow for mobile sports wagering through Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes by excluding certain sports bets from the legal definition of an illegal “bet.” This bill has passed the Wisconsin Assembly and is now headed to the Senate for consideration.
Its related counter bill in the Senate, SB 592, creates an exception to state gambling laws for bets placed on mobile devices when the server is located on tribal lands. The Wisconsin constitution requires that any legal gambling be managed by the state’s federally recognized Native American tribes.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu has not committed to bringing the bill to a floor vote.
“I think from a policy standpoint, it makes sense,” LeMahieu said, “but I don’t know if we can get it across the finish line.”
Tribal nations have endorsed the bill, arguing that prediction markets and the ease of placing sports bets by crossing the border into Illinois has diluted the sector.
Nicole Boyd, chairwoman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, said the bill would benefit both the state and consumers.
“By allowing a legal framework for mobile sports wagering thru Wisconsin’s tribes the state will see increased revenue thru the state gaming compacts and consumers will have the legal protection needed to ensure they receive fair play,” Boyd said.
Two of the country's leading powerhouses in mobile sports betting, DraftKings and FanDuel, oppose the legislation.
The last general business floorperiod in 2026 was scheduled for March 17–19, 2026.
The Worrying New Gambling Trend Luring Boys to Bet on Airstrikes, Epstein and Aliens
The Independent on Wednesday is the latest media outlet to delve into the world of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
These platforms allow individuals the opportunity to place bets on politics, scandals and even whether there will be an alient invasion. The business model is especially appealing to Gen Z.
The Independent warns these platforms will be arriving in the United Kingdom soon.
From The Independent:
Kalshi’s beginning is actually intertwined with the UK. In an interview late last year, co-founder of the company Tarek Mansour remembered the buzz during his internship at Goldman Sachs, before the UK took the plunge. “I want to get exposure to Brexit. I want to hedge Brexit.”
He and his business partner, Luana Lopes, wondered why, if there was interest, this question couldn’t be offered on an exchange.
The short answer was: regulation. In the US, Kalshi and Polymarket – the other big US prediction market – have been in court battles since they were founded in 2018 and 2022 respectively. Both Kalshi and Polymarket are fighting suits in several states at the time of writing.
The latter was banned from the US until early last year after getting into thorny regulatory problems during the Biden administration. Trump is more forgiving. His administration is currently moving to support prediction market operators in a critical legal battle over regulation.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
