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Governor Insists on Wisconsin Tribes' Involvement in Sports Betting
Wisconsin’s governor is closing the door on online sports betting in the state that doesn’t include the state’s tribes.
Gov. Tony Evers said on UpFront Sunday that he hasn’t seen the specifics of a plan to allow companies like DraftKings offer sport bets in Wisconsin, but the governor said he wants to keep gambling with the tribes.
“I haven't seen it yet, but that has to be the ultimate goal. That the tribal nations of the state are the ones that deal with gambling,” the governor said.
There is disagreement at the Capitol, however. The current plan for sports gambling would have the tribes keep 60% revenue from online sports betting. Companies like DraftKings and others want a more generous split for themselves.
"I want to take a look at it," Evers said. "It's all that stuff. The nitty gritty is important, but for me, the most important thing is that the native nations of the states are the ones in charge."
All legal gambling in Wisconsin is controlled through the tribes. The online sports betting companies are not asking to cut them out of online sports betting, but they are asking for what they say would be a better deal. The governor said on UpFront that he is “ not too concerned” about potential opposition from DraftKings, FanDuel and others.
Some conservatives at the statehouse are concerned about the proposed legislation. They say the tribes-first approach creates an anti-competitive gambling market in the state.
The legislation would only apply on direct sports bets. Daily fantasy sports, which DraftKings and other companies, are already allowed in Wisconsin because they are considered games of skill, and not technically gambling.
Senators approved the plan in a committee last week, it could see a final vote in the Senate later this week.
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