In a big move for sports fans and college athletes, the Wisconsin Assembly passed two bills on Thursday. The first bill would legalize online sports betting, and the second sets up state rules for University of Wisconsin athletes who get paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
These bills, which barely sparked any debate, are now heading to the state Senate. It’s a turning point for Wisconsin’s sports and gambling scene, catching up with national trends and giving college athletes more options.
Legalization of Online Sports Betting
Passing the online sports betting bill is a major shift for Wisconsin. Republican lawmakers first brought it up last fall, and it picked up steam fast, with a public hearing just days later.
The bill got through the Assembly with support from both sides of the aisle. It signals a real change in how the state looks at gambling, for better or worse.
The Legal Framework
Right now, Wisconsin’s constitution says all legal gambling has to be run by the state’s federally recognized Native American tribes. In-person sports betting is okay at tribal casinos, but online betting hasn’t been allowed.
This new bill would let online sports betting happen if the servers are kept on tribal land, kind of like what Florida did. The idea is to keep the tribes in charge of gambling, easing worries about online betting cutting into their business.
Tribal leaders are on board, pointing out that live betting and people driving to Illinois to place bets have hurt their revenue. This bill is supposed to help fix that.
Bipartisan Support and Industry Opposition
Lobbyists for big online sportsbooks tried to push back, but the bill still got bipartisan support. Lawmakers moved quickly, showing just how urgent they think this issue is.
Passing it on the Assembly’s final day really shows how determined they were to get Wisconsin into the growing club of states with legal sports betting.
Regulations for Collegiate Athlete Endorsements
The second bill the Assembly passed deals with NIL rights for University of Wisconsin athletes. Ever since the NCAA let college athletes get paid for their NIL in 2021, states have been scrambling to figure out the rules.
Wisconsin’s bill aims to lay out a clear system for NIL deals, making things fairer and more transparent.
Key Provisions of the NIL Bill
- Agent Representation: Student-athletes can hire agents to help with NIL negotiations.
- University Facilitation: Universities are allowed to help set up NIL deals for their athletes, offering extra support.
- Prohibited Endorsements: Students can’t endorse tobacco, alcohol, or illegal activities. It’s about keeping things ethical and protecting the school’s image.
- Confidentiality: Some records about NIL agreements will be kept private if there’s a competitive reason for it.
Impact on Collegiate Athletes
The NIL bill could really open doors for college athletes in Wisconsin. By letting them make money from their NIL rights, the state is giving athletes a shot at new income and career growth.
With the chance to hire agents and get university support, athletes might find it easier to handle NIL deals and balance their schoolwork and sports. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely a step forward.
Looking Ahead
The bills are heading to the state Senate now. If they pass, sports betting and college athletics in Wisconsin could look pretty different.
Legalizing online sports betting would put Wisconsin in step with much of the country. It could mean a boost for tribal casinos and give residents something new to do for fun.
The NIL rules are a big deal for college athletes. Finally, there’s a real shot for them to get something back for all the effort they put in.
For more details on what the Wisconsin Assembly’s been up to, check out the full article [here](https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/wisconsin-assembly-passes-online-sports-betting-college-athlete-endorsements-bills/).
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