‘They don’t have this power’: Group sues against new Wisconsin sports betting bill
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty has filed a lawsuit against Wisconsin Act 247, which would allow people to bet on their mobile devices throughout the state.
Governor Tony Evers signed the bill in April.
It would require a connection to a casino server, which can simply be done by opening the application.
The lawsuit claims the bill is unconstitutional, improperly changing the constitution, and redefining what a bet is.
“The reasoning behind it is because the Legislature passed a bill that they don’t have the authority to pass,” WILL Deputy Counsel Lucas Vebber said.
Vebber claims the lawsuit is not about sports betting, but about the steps that were taken for the bill.
“This lawsuit is not pro-gambling or anti-gambling,” Vebber said. "If the people of Wisconsin want sports betting anywhere, on their phone or anywhere that they want it, all they have to do is repeal the constitutional amendment.”
The next step of the bill will require the governor to change gaming compacts along with the 11 tribes throughout the state.