Friday’s news of a new agreement between the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and Gov. Tony Evers promises to expand the sports gambling landscape in Wisconsin.
The Potawatomi isn’t the first tribe to come to such an agreement. So where do things stand for the state’s sports bettors? Here’s what we know as of Friday.
When can I place sports bets at Potawatomi?
The tribe plans to open a sports book venue at its Milwaukee casino, 1721 W. Canal St., by the end of 2022. The agreement also allows sports and event betting at the tribe’s Forest County casino.
Where else in Wisconsin can I bet?
The Oneida Casino in Green Bay offers sports betting. The St. Croix Chippewa Indians also allow sports betting at their casino in northwestern Wisconsin. Tribal officials from the other Indigenous nations in Wisconsin that operate casinos have not publicly commented about sports betting.
MORE GAMBLING COVERAGE:First bet is on Saints-Cowboys as Oneida Casino launches Wisconsin’s first legal sports wagers
MORE GAMBLING COVERAGE:Oneida casino readies new betting lounge for Super Bowl as tribe looks to build on early sports wagering success
What sports can I bet on?
Gamblers at the Oneida Casino can bet on the state’s three professional sports teams: the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers. The casino also will be able to offer wagers on other events, such as the Oscars, but the focus will be on sports for the time being. That includes all professional sports, as well as college sports, except for Wisconsin college sports. Potawatomi will have sports and other event wagering. Although its plan was not announced, it will probably be similar to the Oneidas’.
Can I place a bet online?
No. The compact with the state stipulates that wagers be taken only on tribal property.
Why is sports betting only legal on tribal properties?
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark 2018 ruling that allowed states to legalize sports gambling, but Wisconsin lawmakers have shown little interest in making that happen. For now, renegotiation of tribal compacts by the governor has been the only pathway to legalized sports betting in the state.
