Wisconsin Assembly Delays Voting on Online Sportsbooks Until 2026

The push for online sports betting in Wisconsin has hit a roadblock, as the Senate has delayed the vote until the January 2026 session. While the proposal has many supporters, some legislators are worried about allowing more forms of gambling in Wisconsin. Check out our article to learn more about these developments.

The Senate Bill 592 Proposal

Earlier in November, the Wisconsin Senate began discussing Senate Bill 492. Currently, physical sportsbooks are allowed at tribal casinos, but statewide sportsbooks are still banned. This proposal will enable operators to launch sportsbooks in the state, provided they have servers located on tribal grounds. The idea is similar to the system used in Florida.

“This legislation is an important step to bring Wisconsin in alignment with the majority of the country in regards to sports wagering.”

Representative Kalan Haywood

The bill is co-authored by Representative Kalan Haywood and Senator Howard Marklein, with sponsors Representative Tyler August and Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim. They believe this would bring in revenue that can help local communities in Wisconsin and curb the illegal offshore sportsbooks that profit from the current landscape. However, the bill has encountered a roadblock.

Voting Delayed

While the bill was supposed to be discussed on the Assembly floor, it was pulled from the agenda on November 19. That means the earliest the bill could receive attention would be in the new legislative session in January 2026. No specific reason has been mentioned for the sudden withdrawal of the bill.

“I had a conversation with a couple of members over the weekend that brought up some points that I hadn’t considered yet, so we’re going to work through those and I expect that we will be voting on it early next year.”

Representative Tyler August

Representative August did not seem concerned about the delay, stating that he would further consider some sections of the bill. However, he believes the lawmakers would have approved the bill if it had been voted on and even urged them to support it through a memo he sent during the week.

Opposition to the Bill

While the bill has received decent support, particularly from the tribes, it also has its fair share of opponents. The Sports Betting Alliance believes the bill has unfavorable terms for operators, as its framework is based on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Operators would be required to send 60% of their revenue to partner tribes, which the SBA believes is economically unviable.

“That number is so large, they would lose money – it just won’t work for them.”

Sports Betting Alliance

Some republicans, like Senator Andre Jacque, have also expressed their disapproval of the bill. Senator Jacque claims that sports betting can be easily manipulated. That likely stems from some of the recent NBA gambling arrests and the Jontay Porter scandal, which could negatively affect athletes and the sport.

Rush to Stop Prediction Markets

One reason for the increased push to legalize online sportsbooks is the rise of prediction markets. Companies like Kalshi have become even more popular in Wisconsin because they are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Their sports contracts are an alternative, and states like Michigan have warned sportsbooks not to offer similar products.

“They have indicated and made public statements that they can and will operate prediction markets where sports betting is not legal.”

Dominic Ortiz, CEO of the Potawatomi Casinos & Hotels

That has forced sportsbooks to adapt, but the lack of legislation in some states prevents them from offering a product that can fulfill the demand. Legalizing sportsbooks would also enable consumer protection, allowing Wisconsin residents to receive help with problem gambling. While there is room for discussion, the time for sportsbooks is running out.

Conclusion

Wisconsin’s online sports betting bill has garnered widespread support, including from professional teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers. However, even if the bill is approved after the delay, it still needs to go through the US Department of the Interior. As sports prediction markets gain traction, it seems time is of the essence for online betting in Wisconsin.