Wisconsin Senate passes bills to legalize online sports betting, establish college athlete NIL rules

Sports betting

After initially appearing to be on the legislative fast track upon its introduction last fall, the sports betting bill faced strenuous opposition and only passed on the last day of normal floor of activity in both the Assembly and Senate.

The bill passed the Senate 21-12 but divided both Democrats and Republicans. Only nine Senate Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Three Democrats joined nine Republicans in voting against the bill. The Republicans who opposed the bill said they were concerned about the consequences of the availability of frictionless sports betting in people’s pockets.


Name, Image and Likeness

Just days before the start of the 2025 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, the Senate passed a bill that would establish rules for managing name, image and likeness deals for collegiate athletes.

The bill passed with no debate in a 17-16 vote with six Democrats joining 11 Republicans to vote in favor of the bill.




https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/17/senate-passes-bills-to-legalize-online-sports-betting-establish-college-athlete-nil-rules/