Wisconsin Approves Sports Betting at Another Tribal Casino

The latest outlet for retail Wisconsin sports betting has gained the approval of the governor’s office.

Gov. Tony Evers, pictured above, announced on his website that he signed an agreement with the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to allow the Tribe’s casinos and affiliate locations in the state to offer betting for sporting events as well as non-sports events.

The deal must now be approved by the U.S. Department of Interior; there is a 45-day review process at the federal level.

The deal is the latest between the governor’s office and a Wisconsin tribal group regarding casino wagering. In February, the Forest County Potawatomi Community came to an agreement with Evers to allow sports betting at two tribal properties, one in Milwaukee and the other in Forest County, about 200 miles north.

The latest deal, according to a news release from Evers’ office, allows wagering at the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians’ Sevenwinds Casino in Hayward, plus allows for “mobile wagering on other land” on the reservation.

“I am grateful to Chairman Taylor and the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Council for their work to come to an agreement on this important compact amendment,” Evers, a Democrat elected in 2018, said in the release. “Event wagering will generate additional revenue for the state and the Tribe, while giving a boost to tourism and employment in Northern Wisconsin.”

There is no true mobile sports betting market in Wisconsin, nor are there real money online casinos in the state. Neighboring states Michigan, Illinois and Iowa all have thriving online sports wagering markets, and Michigan offers online gaming as well.

“This is a great day for the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe,” Lac Courte Oreilles Band Chairman Louis Taylor said. “The amendment will allow us to continue offering a first-rate gaming experience at our casino and increase employment opportunities for both Tribal members and the Sawyer County area. I am very pleased we were able to work so quickly and cooperatively with Gov. Evers’ team to reach this historic agreement.”

The first tribe in Wisconsin to offer sports betting was the Oneida Nation in Green Bay, which was approved to start taking bets in November 2021. The first bet there was taken on Nov. 30.

Just before 2021 ended, the state also amended an existing compact to allow wagering on sports for the St. Croix Chippewa Tribe casinos.

According to the release, issued on Aug. 5, there are 11 Native Nations in Wisconsin that are federally recognized, and all offer gaming operations. The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians are the fourth to have their gaming compact amended to allow sports betting.