ONEIDA, Wis. (AP) — The Oneida Nation will legally offer sports betting beginning this week, the first time such wagering has been allowed in Wisconsin.
Sports betting is the result of a new gaming compact amendment with the state that allows “event wagering.”
That can include betting on sports and events such as nationally televised award shows, professional sports league drafts and professional games, including football, basketball and baseball. Wagering on Wisconsin college athletics or events involving children is not allowed.
Patrons can place a bet with a cashier or at one of the casino's sports betting kiosks. The casino currently has a temporary facility of 12 kiosks with an additional 8 throughout the floor.
While the casino had originally hoped to begin sports betting in September, the opening was delayed due to supply chain issues with the equipment.
"We were hoping to start our sports betting in the fall when the NFL football season started, however with the supply chain being delayed everywhere we experienced the same thing with our products," said gaming general manager Louise Cornelius.
The Oneida Nation held a ceremony Tuesday morning at its main casino near Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport to mark the occasion. The first bets were placed by Oneida Bingo Queens, Sandra Brehmer and Alma Webster. Webster and Brehmer are credited with operating the most profitable bingo games in the state which began in 1976.
"It's awesome to think that we've come this far and to see this operation and to be able to employ as many of our own people as we possibly can," Brehmer said. "I think it's wonderful that we are out there paving the way for other places to do these new businesses."
"We are looking at it as another amenity that we offer at Oneida Casino," said gaming chief financial officer Chad Fuss. "We have a lot of customers who like to gamble and we have a lot of customers who enjoy sports. So we're really looking to give them that full experience where they can make some small bets on their favorite teams, enjoy their gaming piece of it, and also enjoy watching the sports of the teams that they're betting on."
Sports betting will be open 10 a.m to 11 p.m on weekdays and 10 a.m to midnight on weekends. On home game days, it will open at 9 a.m.
