Article:
A recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report delves into the cautious approach of Wisconsin towards the legalization of sports betting, highlighting concerns about potential gambling expansions. While most states have adopted a broader approach to sports betting, allowing online and commercial sports gambling, Wisconsin restricts it only to tribal lands.
The report raises concerns about the negative consequences of expanding online sports betting, citing a 2024 research paper that found states legalizing online wagering experienced increased rates of bankruptcy, debt collections, and auto loan delinquencies. Mark Sommerhauser, the report’s author and a Wisconsin Policy Forum spokesperson, emphasized the negative impact on household finances in states where online sports betting was legalized.
The report also acknowledges the presence of illegal online sports betting in Wisconsin and cautions that legalizing online betting to counter unregulated platforms may not be effective. The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling has expressed concerns about the potential harm from expanded gambling, citing an increase in gambling addiction issues in the state, particularly related to sports betting.
Under Wisconsin’s current system, tribal nations have exclusive rights to sports betting operations. Nine out of 11 federally recognized tribal nations in Wisconsin amended their gaming compacts to allow sports betting by the end of 2024, with six already operating sports betting in their casinos. These tribes utilize a share of their gaming revenues to support tribal services and make annual payments to the state.
The report suggests that Wisconsin could consider expanding online sports betting by renegotiating gaming compacts to allow online gaming off-tribal lands if servers remain on tribal lands, similar to Florida’s arrangement with the Seminole Tribe. However, the specifics of such a deal in Wisconsin remain unclear.
Overall, the report underscores the complex dynamics and potential risks associated with sports betting legalization in Wisconsin, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and a balanced approach to address the challenges and opportunities in this evolving landscape.
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