DraftKings is finally coming to the Badger State.
The Boston-based gambling company announced this week it had entered a partnership with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians to bring its retail sportsbook to the Lake of the Torches Resort Casino.
“DraftKings has established a great relationship with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, and we can’t wait to bring the DraftKings Sportsbook brand to Wisconsin,” commented Michael Kibort, vice president of retail sportsbooks at DraftKings. “Providing a best-in-class customer experience has always been a top priority for our company and the opportunity to deliver that experience to customers in yet another state is a proud moment for DraftKings.”
The company is set to begin operations on Aug. 28, pending final regulatory approvals. DraftKings will feature six kiosks, an over-the-counter window, and extensive sports viewing amenities, available to bettors aged 21 and older.
“Lake of the Torches is excited to add retail sports betting to our property as a new gaming amenity for our valued guests to enjoy,” said Bill Guelcher, CEO of Lake of the Torches Resort Casino. “Our goal is to implement sports betting operations with a strong brand recognition and extremely high quality product performance, and we’re honored to collaborate with DraftKings as an industry leader.”
The casino resort, owned and operated by the Lac du Flambeau tribe, currently features 800 slot machines, table games, a lakeside hotel, and various dining options.
.@DraftKings is set to enter Wisconsin through an agreement with Lake of the Torches Resort Casino
— DraftKings News (@DraftKingsNews) August 26, 2024
Retail sportsbook operations are set to begin on August 28. Once live, @DKSportsbook will be available to customers in 28 U.S. states, in addition to Washington D.C., and Ontario,…
Wisconsin sports betting
This latest announcement from DraftKings comes after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Native American tribes agreed on several compact amendments earlier this year. As a result, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians received federal approval for event wagering.
“The Amendment permits the Tribe to engage in event wagering and adds the Tribe’s minimum internal control standards for sports betting, including rules governing events wagering,” said a notice in the Federal Register. “The Amendment also makes technical changes to update and correct various provisions of the compact. The Amendment is approved.”
There are 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin, with six authorized to operate sportsbooks in the state. Currently, Wisconsin sports betting is limited to just one online and retail sportsbook. The Oneida Casino Sportsbook is available for online betting anywhere on Oneida Nation land, including the state’s only legal retail sportsbook at Oneida Casino.
