Wisconsin has officially joined the growing list of states allowing online sports betting after Gov. Tony Evers signed new legislation into law Thursday.   The move makes Wisconsin the 33rd state to legalize mobile wagering. However, residents eager to place bets from their phones will have to wait, as the law requires additional negotiations and regulatory steps before launch.     Tribal agreements key to launch   Before online sportsbooks can go live, Wisconsin must renegotiate gaming compacts with its 11 federally recognized tribes, which will operate and oversee the betting market.   Evers emphasized that any framework must treat all tribes equally.   “The real work begins now,” Evers said in a statement. “All Tribal Nations must work together to build a system that is fair and sustainable. Any approach that creates imbalance will not move forward.”   Currently, legal gambling in Wisconsin is limited to tribal lands under exclusive agreements with the state. Sports betting is only available in person at select tribal casinos, while online wagering has remained prohibited.     Hub-and-spoke model planned   The new law allows online sports betting under a “hub-and-spoke” model, where all betting activity must be processed through servers located on tribal land.   This structure ensures tribes maintain control of the system while allowing statewide mobile access. Similar models are already in place in states like Florida.   Under existing compacts, tribes share a portion of gaming revenue with the state. In 2024, those payments totaled just over $66 million, according to state data.   Evers said expanded sports betting could help fund key public initiatives, including mental health services and opioid addiction programs.     Support and opposition   The legislation received bipartisan backing and support from multiple tribal nations, as well as organizations like the Milwaukee Brewers.   Supporters argue legalization will bring betting activity into a regulated environment, noting that many residents already use offshore platforms or travel to nearby states such as Illinois to place wagers.   Opposition came from the Sports Betting Alliance, which represents major operators including FanDuel, DraftKings and others.   The group argued that the tribal-only model may limit market competitiveness, pointing to federal requirements that direct a significant share of revenue back to tribes. Industry representatives have instead pushed for broader market access through a constitutional amendment.     What comes next   Although Evers initially indicated he would sign a bill only with full tribal support, earlier disagreements raised concerns about implementation. The governor said Thursday that all 11 tribes are now actively negotiating terms for the rollout.   State officials have not set a timeline for launch, but the process of updating compacts and establishing regulations is expected to take months or longer.     National growth continues   Wisconsin’s move reflects continued expansion of legalized sports betting across the U.S.   According to the American Gaming Association, regulated sportsbooks handled nearly $167 billion in wagers nationwide last year, generating close to $17 billion in revenue after payouts—a roughly 23% increase from the previous year.   As more states adopt online betting, tribal-led models like Wisconsin’s are becoming an increasingly prominent path to legalization.