BCTA Opposes Tribal Online Betting in Wisconsin, State Defends Decision
Earlier this year, Wisconsin passed a law that allowed Native American tribes to offer online sports betting. While actual platforms have yet to launch, this controversial decision remains a point of contention, leading to a new lawsuit. Wisconsin Lawmakers Approved Online Tribal Betting In April,…
Earlier this year, Wisconsin passed a law that allowed Native American tribes to offer online sports betting. While actual platforms have yet to launch, this controversial decision remains a point of contention, leading to a new lawsuit. Wisconsin Lawmakers Approved Online Tribal Betting In April, Wisconsin lawmakers approved AB 601, a legal motion that allowed local tribes to offer sports betting. For reference, the state previously allowed tribal casino gaming and sports betting, but no online wagering. According to Rep. Tyler August, adopting online betting was a necessary step to crack down on illegal alternatives. Back then, Governor Tony Evers said that the legalization, which eventually turned into Act 247, sought to encourage the state’s 11 tribes to capitalize on this opportunity and work together to end the inequalities among them. However, not everyone was on board with Act 247, with some arguing that the tribal exclusivity outlined in it is discriminatory. As a result, the Brown County Taxpayers’ Association (BCTA) initiated a lawsuit against the state, suggesting that the new act offers exclusive benefits to tribe members based purely on race. Because of that, the association claimed that the act was in breach of the Wisconsin Constitution. Wisconsin Says the Lawsuit Is Baseless Wisconsin has responded to the BCTA’s lawsuit, arguing that it was baseless. According to Assistant Attorney General Colin Roth, Act 247 is fully legal and in no way in breach of the Constitution. The affirmative defenses say that the BCTA fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and that the association lacks standing to pursue this action. А scheduling conference is set to take place next month. Menominee Indian Tribe Announced Revisions to Its Planned Casino Speaking of tribal gaming in Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin recently announced revisions to the site plan for its proposed casino project in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Under the revised plans, the tribe will see the planned parking for the casino consolidated in a smaller area, which would result in less agricultural land being used. Tribe officials said that the changes come in response to feedback received during the federal review process.