Wisconsin sports betting is legal to an extent. It is available only at retail sportsbooks and via a single tribal-managed non-commercial mobile application.
Wisconsin legalized sports betting in 2021 but made licenses available only to tribal nations and retail locations. As of July 2024, there are six retail sportsbooks in the state. In one notable circumstance, consumers can wager on sports via a mobile app as long as they are on Oneida tribal lands.
Given the ardent sports fandom in the Badger State, it’s puzzling that there aren’t yet commercial online sportsbooks. In 2022, 2023, and during the 2024 lawmaking sessions, no major efforts materialized to push a sports betting bill to a vote. A groundswell of support has yet to come to fruition in Wisconsin, a state with approximately 5.9 million residents, three major professional sports teams, and a prominent Big Ten school with a great athletic program.
You can download daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps and play them in Wisconsin, with some restrictions. Social sportsbooks, such as Fliff and Rebet, are another option.
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, Wisconsin does permit sports betting. But, for the most part, you’ll need to be at a retail location to place a wager. There are six retail casinos operated by tribal nations: Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, St. Croix Chippewa, Potawatomi Nation, and the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Only Oneida facilities currently offer sports betting.
Sports betting legality in Wisconsin is closely aligned with the issue of native tribal sovereignty. The state constitution allows gambling only for the federally recognized tribal nations. Any effort to expand gambling to commercial operators has met opposition in the state. Tribal nations themselves wish to protect their exclusive rights to provide gambling, something they negotiated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Given the spread of commercial sports betting across the United States since 2018, there is pressure for Wisconsin to “catch up” with other states. Many of its neighbors offer mobile sportsbooks. Many sports fans are eager to be able to use Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, and other apps like people can in other states. The ability to place a wager on sports via your cell phone is coveted by many who love the NFL, college sports, and other sporting events.
Wisconsin will need to unravel its prohibition on gambling outside of tribal lands before it can address legislation to make BetMGM Sportsbook and other commercial operators available here.
When Will Sports Betting Be Fully Legal in Wisconsin?
It could be a long time. Wisconsin has an unusual situation now that seems to be acceptable to many of the lawmakers and the tribal nations that have economic and political stakes in the issue.
Only New Mexico also offers some form of sports betting without actually having a sports betting law on the books. In that state, as in Wisconsin, the government has decided that existing gaming compacts that grant tribal nations exclusive rights to offer gaming are sufficient. That’s why tribes have retail casinos and a handful of “lands” that permit the use of one online sportsbook.
As long as Wisconsin is content to leave the issue of gaming expansion to tribal lands and the de facto agreements between the federal government and tribes in its state, there will likely not be strong efforts to allow commercial gaming companies to enter Wisconsin. You can also be sure that the tribes will mount legal challenges if lawmakers attempt to impinge on their exclusive rights to gaming.
What's Happening in Wisconsin Sports Betting News Right Now?
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August 26, 2024:
DraftKings announced it will enter the Wisconsin retail market through an agreement with the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The Lake of the Torches Resort Casino will launch retail sports betting on Aug. 28 and offer DraftKings betting via kiosks and over-counter for those 21 and older.
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April 9, 2024:
The federal government approved a compact between the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the State of Wisconsin, clearing the way for that tribe to offer sports betting at its casino location in the future.
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March 31, 2023:
Forest County Potawatomi Community opens self-serve sports betting kiosks at two casino-based sportsbooks.
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February 18, 2022:
The Wisconsin sports betting industry will expand after a new agreement between the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino and Gov. Tony Evers. The Potawatomi tribe expects to open a sportsbook venue at its Milwaukee-based hotel and casino by the end of the year.
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July 13, 2021:
Oneida Nation is the first tribe to announce it will launch sports betting in the fall of 2021.
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July 1, 2021:
Wisconsin legalizes in-person sports betting. Gov. Evers signs gaming compact agreements with all 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Bills
No bills have been proposed in Wisconsin to make sportsbooks legal. That’s because the state recognizes that federally recognized tribes can offer sports betting exclusively. Most legal experts contend that in Wisconsin, an amendment to the constitution would have to be submitted and passed to allow for sports betting from commercial operators like other states.
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, no bills were proposed to amend the state constitution in regard to sportsbooks, either online or retail.
WI Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
Here’s a roadmap of how sports betting became legal—but limited—in Wisconsin.
The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians negotiates with Wisconsin to change its compact to allow for sports betting. It becomes the fourth tribe to do so.
The Potawatomi and St. Croix Chippewa tribes negotiate with state to amend their existing compacts to allow sports betting at their operations.
The Oneida Nation becomes the first tribe in Wisconsin to negotiate a change in its compact to permit sports betting at its facilities.
Key Players in the Push for Legal Wisconsin Sports Betting
Gov. Tony Evers has shown no interest in supporting a constitutional amendment to clear the way for sports betting by commercial operators. In 2022, Evers signed a compact with the Potawatomi Nation that enabled them to offer retail sports betting, cementing the notion that such activity is the exclusive right of native tribes.
Leaders of the Oneida Indian Nation, Potawatomi Nation, St. Croix Chippewa, and Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians tribes will want to keep their status as controlling gaming in the state.
Officers of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Milwaukee Brewers could advocate for expanded sports betting. We’ve seen that push from pro sports franchises in other states.
Other Types of Gambling in Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows both daily fantasy sports and social sportsbooks to operate in the state. Football fans can also play Super Bowl squares for the NFL title game. Here’s a look at what’s available.
| 💰DFS | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Social Sportsbooks | ✅ Yes |
| 🐎 Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel wagering) | ❌No |
| 💸 Lottery | ✅ Yes |
| ♠️ Online Poker | ❌No |
| 🤑 Online Casinos | ❌No |
| Esports | ❌No |
Wisconsin Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Sites in 2024
Wisconsin does not expressly permit or prohibit daily fantasy sports, and it has not taken steps to halt the DFS apps from taking new customers. Consumers can download and play daily fantasy draft-style games like FanDuel DFS and DraftKings DFS. In some cases, when playing daily pick ’em contests tied to individual performances of players, DFS can act similarly to sports wagering.
DFS Apps: Betr Promo Code | Underdog Fantasy Promo Code
Social Sportsbooks in Wisconsin
Applications for your mobile device, such as Fliff Social Sportsbook, Rebet, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy, are available from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. While these apps do not allow for uploading of real money and actual betting on games, you can use virtual currency to predict outcomes of sporting events or prop-style bets and redeem winning “Coins” later for prizes and cash.
Betting on Horse Racing in Wisconsin
It is not against the law to wager on horse racing in Wisconsin, but there are currently no race tracks or Off Track Betting (OTB) sites for customers to patronize. You can go to a retail sportsbook that offers odds on major races like the Kentucky Derby, or you can use online options. For more information, see our horse racing betting apps page.
Lottery in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Lottery is one of the oldest in the country, established in 1988 to fund public education. It offers scratch tickets and daily drawings and is a member of the Powerball and Mega Millions networks. You cannot purchase tickets for the state lottery draw games online.
Wisconsin Online Casinos
Only native tribal nations can offer online casino gaming, but few have done so. The Oneida Casino app offers some online games, such as slots. You must be on the Oneida lands or at one of their retail locations to use the app.
Wisconsin Online Poker
Online poker is not available in Wisconsin.
Can I Bet on Esports in Wisconsin?
There is no law that prohibits betting on esports, but none of the online apps or retail sportsbooks currently offer odds on that activity.
Where To Bet in Wisconsin: Retail Sportsbooks
The Oneida Casino in Green Bay (2020 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI, 54313 ) is the only retail sportsbook currently operating. The Oneida Nation expects to open sportsbooks at its other locations.
How To Bet in Wisconsin After Legalization
There is no telling when Wisconsin will pass a law or amendment to its constitution to permit commercial sportsbooks, like BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers, and so on. But if it does, we can make an educated guess as to how it would proceed, based on observations of dozens of other states. Check out our How To Bet page for more information.
Select Your Sports Betting App
Pick the sportsbook with the features that best suit you. All the major operators, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, are likely to be available.
Download Sportsbook App
You’ll find apps on Google Play and/or for your iPhone device. You could also visit a web-based sportsbook via a laptop computer browser.
Register
You’ll need to confirm your identity and that you are in the state. Some states require registration in person (Illinois, for example, did this for a while). It’s possible Wisconsin could also require in-person registration, as tribal nations currently do this for the only apps available in the state.
Make Your First Deposit
Fund your account with a credit or debit card, PayPal or Skrill electronic wallet deposits, bank transfers, or ACH transfers.
Place Your First Bet
Look out for your first promo offer here as well. There could be a deposit match or bonus bets to provide some insurance for your first bet.
Sports To Bet on in Wisconsin
The state’s limited sportsbooks offer odds on many sporting events. Let’s walk through the key teams and sports.
NFL Betting in Wisconsin
Ask any sports fan interested in wagering, and they will likely admit that NFL odds are among their favorite. Pro football is by far the most popular legal sports gaming activity in the US, where the Super Bowl is the most-watched single sporting event annually. The Green Bay Packers, winners of four Super Bowls, including the first two, are of tremendous interest in Titletown and beyond. Their last Super Bowl win came in 2010. Behind QB Jordan Love, the Pack is battling back.
NBA Betting in Wisconsin
Every spring, the NBA Playoffs and subsequent NBA Finals draw many hoops fans to sports betting apps with NBA Odds. In Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Bucks are a popular team, with a talented roster led by Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks won NBA crowns in 1971 and 2021.
MLB Betting in Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Brewers are a frequent participant in the playoffs, which makes MLB odds a thrilling entertainment option. MLB betting allows for moneyline, run line, totals, player and team props, and much more. The Brewers won the American League pennant in 1982. They now compete in the National League.
NHL Betting in Wisconsin
Though Wisconsin doesn’t have an NHL team, many residents would be happy to have Stanley Cup Playoff betting as an option. Any new commercial sportsbooks in the state would have NHL odds.
College Sports Betting in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers are one of the best athletic programs in the powerful Big Ten conference. Every season, the school typically fields a strong football team, as well as a good basketball squad. The fascinating Big Ten schedule would offer loads of college football odds for sports fans in Wisconsin. Badger football has won the Big Ten 14 times. The basketball program won one national championship and has been to four Final Fours.
Types of Bets To Expect at WI Sportsbooks
Moneyline
A moneyline wager is a straight bet on the winner of a sporting event, such as the Packers over the Bears (at -150 if Green Bay is favored). A +300 bet represents a 3-to-1 longshot.
Total (Over/Under)
Wager in WI on the Over/Under for a sporting event, such as combined points for both teams in an NFL, NBA, or college football game. If the Over/Under for Packers vs. Bears is 54.5 and you bet the Over, the teams would need to combine for at least 55 points for you to win.
Point Spread
The spread shows where the sportsbook thinks the sweet spot is to create a fair bet for either team. For example, if the Bucks are -8 against the Pistons, that means you can bet on Milwaukee to win by more than 8 points. Spreads are available for the NFL, NBA, college basketball and football, and many other sports.
Futures
This is where you lay down a wager on which team will win a future championship, like the NBA Finals or World Series. The Brewers are one of the MLB teams to never win a World Series. Maybe this is the year?
Props
A prop bet is a wager on something happening within a game or associated with a sporting event. For example, you could bet on both teams to score a field goal in an NFL game, or which team will hit the first home run. Or you can make a bet on a player to achieve something, like a goal in hockey, or a number of three-point shots made in a college basketball game.
Parlays
The parlay has become a popular alternative for bettors, providing long odds with a chance at big payoffs. Bundle multiple bets to get long odds. The more bets (legs) of your parlay, the longer the odds and larger potential for a big payday.
Sports Betting Apps That Could Launch in Wisconsin
The only betting app currently available in Wisconsin is the Oneida Casino Sportsbook App. It can be used only on Oneida lands.
If you decide not to go with the more well-known names, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, Bet365 may be for you.
- Key features: Stable betting platform
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.6
We enjoy the interface and overall ease of the BetMGM app, which would likely be one of the first to do business in Wisconsin if commercial licenses are offered.
- Key features: Daily specials, like parlays and odds boosts
- Live Streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
Not as well known as some of its competitors, BetRivers is just as strong when it comes to odds.
- Key features: Hundreds of sporting events every day
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.8
The best loyalty program, hands down, is Caesars Rewards.
- Key features: Earn points via the loyalty program every time you bet
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
The in-app streaming feature from DraftKings is the best we have tested.
- Key features: Live betting
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.7; Google 4.7
In many states, FanDuel ranks first or second in market share. There’s a reason for its popularity among sports bettors.
- Key features: Parlay builder
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
What To Look for in WI Sports Betting Apps
The Gaming Today Sportsbook Rating page has the rankings for more than half a dozen betting apps that could launch in Wisconsin. Our experts have tested them in the following categories:
- Deposits
- Withdrawals
- Customer support
- Live betting
- Odds availability across many sports
WI Sports Betting Future
With one of the most popular and successful NFL franchises in its borders, Wisconsin seems to have an incentive to allow major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel to offer their products in the state.
Owners and officers of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks should try to join with legislators and fan-based groups to urge action that would be beneficial to the state’s tax coffers.
How Wisconsin Sports Betting Compares To Other Markets
Given Wisconsin’s limited access to sports betting via one tribal casino currently, it compares unfavorably to neighboring states such as Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Indiana, which all have full legal online sports betting. Read more on our legal sports betting states page.
| Wisconsin | Illinois | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📱 Online Sportsbooks | ✅ Yes- limited | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🏢 Retail Sportsbooks | ✅ Yes- limited | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 💰 Tax Rate on Sportsbooks | None | 15% | 8-15% |
| 🎰 Legal Age for Sports Betting | 21+ | 21+ | 21+ |
Pros and Cons of the Wisconsin Sports Betting Industry
Wisconsin is missing a greater opportunity for more tax revenue and support for school and infrastructure improvements with its current scaled-back approach to sports betting.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Successes So Far
There are no successes to point to for those who wish to see a variety of sportsbook apps in Wisconsin.
How Wisconsin Sports Betting Can Do Better
The state could listen to its professional sports teams and citizens and figure out how to offer commercial sportsbooks and still acknowledge tribal nations and their gaming rights.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Revenue Projections
According to the Badger-Herald, Wisconsin receives between $50-100 million annually in tax revenue from casinos in the state. Estimates by the American Gaming Association say the US would collectively take in $8 billion annually from sports betting tax revenue if all 50 states legalized it. That money often ends up at the local level to fund programs for children and schools.
Bordering states are reaping big benefits from widely legal sports betting. Wisconsin could too.
It’s possible that economic pressure will eventually lead Wisconsin lawmakers to pass legislation to enter this profitable market fully.
Wisconsin Responsible Gaming
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers a questionnaire to help determine if you or someone you care about is dealing with a gambling addiction.
The 1-800-GAMBLER hotline is available for anyone in the state.
Gamblers Anonymous is another resource. Our page on Responsible Gaming details how RG programs assist sports bettors in need.
Wisconsin Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, but with limits. You must be either at a licensed retail sportsbook or on Oneida Nation land using the Oneida Casino Sportsbook. The state has permitted only tribal nations to offer sports betting apps currently. Oneida Nation, which also operates multiple casinos in Wisconsin, is the only tribal organization to offer a sportsbook as of now.
The DraftKings Sportsbook is not legal in Wisconsin, but you can play DraftKings DFS in the Badger State.
No, commercial sportsbooks are not yet available in the state. However, you can play daily fantasy sports on FanDuel.
No, but you will need to be located on Oneida Nation land to use the mobile app called Oneida Casino Sportsbook. If major operators are permitted in the state, you will have to be physically located in Wisconsin to bet.
You must be at least 21 years of age to bet with a sports betting app in Wisconsin.
Only one mobile betting app is available legally in Wisconsin: Oneida Casino Sportsbook. That app is available for download in the state, but you must complete registration by visiting either Oneida’s Main-Airport or W. Mason Casino. You can use the app only while on Oneida tribal lands.
In Wisconsin, you can visit retail sportsbooks and place bets on the NFL, college football, the NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, NASCAR, the Olympics, and many other sports.
You can place wagers on college sports in Wisconsin via retail sportsbooks. It’s likely that when the state legalizes online commercial sportsbooks, college wagering will be permitted.
Yes, it is against the law to use an offshore sportsbook. These sports betting sites and apps are not legal in the United States. They exist outside of regulatory oversight and can be dangerous for consumers.
There is one mobile app currently available in Wisconsin—the Oneida Casino app. It can be used only on tribal lands. No other mobile sports betting apps are legal in the state yet.
Recent Wisconsin Sports Betting News
Virginia Casino Announces Grand Opening as Betting Breaks $1 Billion Mark
Michigan Blocks Online Casino Betting Apps From Israel, Costa Rica
Betfred Virginia Closes Online Sports Betting Operations
Massachusetts Becomes the Latest State to Ban Bovada
Caesars Launches Horseshoe Online Casino in Michigan
When Will Wisconsin Join? List of Legal Betting States
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