Wisconsin Sports Betting
Wisconsin sports betting is legal at one location in the state with more on the way. There are no laws on the books to allow sports betting in Wisconsin, but it will soon be offered by two of Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes via tribal compacts.
Is sports betting legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, but in an unusual way. Most states allow sports betting through the use of legislative actions, such as bills, proposals or constitutional amendments. They are designed to change the fundamental statutes pertaining to gambling inside their state lines to allow for the introduction of betting on sports.
In Wisconsin, federally recognized tribes in the state can negotiate with the state to change existing state compacts. These amendments allow for sports betting, thus making sports betting legal under the jurisdiction of the individual tribe.
So far, two such amendments have become active in the state: a 2021 agreement with the Oneida Indian Nation and a 2022 agreement with the Forest County Potawatomi.
Where can I bet on sports in Wisconsin?
Sports wagering is legal at the Oneida Casino complex, which is north of Austin Straubel International Airport in the Green Bay area. At this time, the properties on this bit of Oneida Nation land are the only authorized areas for betting on sports in Wisconsin.
However, the Forest County Potawatomi have plans to open a sportsbook at the Potawatomi Casino in downtown Milwaukee over the coming weeks or months.
In March 2023, the Potawatomi reached a multi-channel partnership with the Kambi Group, a Malta-based sportsbook operator. The deal will provide a full suite of sports betting services to the Potawatomi Casino’s new sportsbook, as well as 20 sports betting kiosks to the Carter Hotel & Casino in Carter, Wisconsin, located on Potawatomi land.
The new book at the Potawatomi Casino, the first in Milwaukee, will initially consist of a retail sportsbook launch with an on-premises mobile launch to follow.
Is online sports betting legal in WI?
Yes, but in a heavily restricted manner. Any online sports betting must occur on the reservation lands or other properties associated with the tribes offering an app.
Because the Oneida tribe owns an additional casino property and more than a half-dozen truck stops around the Green Bay area, the tribe took the unusual step of offering a sports betting app. Based upon the language of the compact, the lands of those stores qualify as valid areas for online sports betting. Thus, in addition to the main area, you may place online sports bets at any of the Oneida One-Stops located nearby.
If you would like to find the closest One-Stop location to you, please consult this page. The areas in red are available with the app. Here’s where they are:
- E & EE Oneida One-Stop (NE corner of County Roads E and EE)
- Four Paths Oneida One-Stop (SE corner of Mason Drive and Packerland Drive)
- Highway 54 Oneida One-Stop (NW corner of Highway 54 and Seminary Road)
- Larsen Oneida One-Stop (SE corner of Packerland Drive and Larsen Road)
- Main-Airport Casino/IMAC Casino (north of Airport Drive)
- Oneida West Mason Casino (NW corner of West Mason and Isbell Drive)
- Packerland Oneida One-Stop (SW corner of East Adam Drive and Packerland Drive)
- Travel Center Oneida One-Stop (south of Old Wisconsin 29, just east of County Highway Y)
- Westwind Oneida One-Stop (northeast corner of Hinkle Street and Mason Drive)
Wisconsin sports betting law
As we mentioned, Wisconsin’s status with regard to legal sports betting is unusual. There is no law in the Wisconsin Statutes allowing sports betting to take place. Yet, sports betting is legal and active.
The only other state not to pass a sports betting law and still host sportsbooks is New Mexico, but unlike that state, Wisconsin sports betting exists by virtue of an amendment to the state’s compact with the Oneida Indian Nation.
The amendment that paved the way for the Oneidas to open their sports betting operations is the third amendment to the tribe’s 1991 compact. Although most tribal amendments tend to be short on detail, this one actually serves as a reasonable analogue for the sports betting laws in other states.
Under the language of the amendment, the Oneida Indian Nation can offer wagering on “events.” Event wagering is defined as:
“accepting wagers on the outcomes of, or occurrences within, sports and non-sports games, contests, and matches, but shall not include parimutuel wagering on horse, harness, or dog-racing events.”
In other words, betting on both sporting events and other contests is legal. Unlike in some states, it is possible to wager on the Oscars and esports in Wisconsin. Based upon the language about outcomes and occurrences, it is also clear that the agreement permits live wagering alongside the standard pregame betting.
Online sports betting is legal under the agreement, but only at the tribe’s properties. That means the Oneidas must ensure their app is only available within the tight perimeters of their nine properties in the Green Bay area through geolocation verification software.
Finally, the amendment includes language to allow the tribe to benefit from authorizations that other tribes might receive in the future. If one of the 10 other federally recognized tribes in the state launches sports betting, the terms of the new permit transfer onto the Oneidas.
Popular sports for betting in Wisconsin
Although sports betting locations in Wisconsin are clustered in a single area, there’s no shortage of fandom for Wisconsin’s top sports teams. With the state home to roughly 6 million people, there is plenty of support for major professional teams that call the state home.
NFL
Sports betting in Wisconsin is available in the city with perhaps the most passionate and rabid fans in the entire NFL. The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL team to be (primarily) owned by a city’s citizens through a nonprofit corporation. As a result, many of the attendees at Lambeau Field games are some of the only sports fans in the world who can accurately refer to their favorite team with possessives — it really is their team.
- Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field
NBA
The recent success of Wisconsin’s lone NBA team — the 2021 NBA champs — has certainly generated more fans of the Milwaukee Bucks. As it stands, the Milwaukee team sits in the upper echelon of NBA squads.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Fiserv Forum
MLB
Although Wisconsin is a football state through and through, there are still plenty of fans of Wisconsin’s Major League Baseball team. The Milwaukee Brewers have been around for more than 50 years and have had many big moments, albeit without a World Series victory.
- Milwaukee Brewers: American Family Field
NHL
NHL loyalties in Wisconsin are divided due to the absence of a top hockey team in the state. Despite Wisconsin’s established hockey pedigree (with numerous NCAA championships from the Wisconsin Badgers), there is no NHL equivalent of the Packers, Bucks or Brewers in the state. There are, however, a couple of nearby options:
- Chicago Blackhawks: United Center
- Minnesota Wild: Xcel Energy Center
NCAA
Besides the Packers, there may be no team more popular in the state than the University of Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten conference. The Badgers own one of the top programs in the country in both men’s football and basketball, and enjoy a fiercely loyal following from Wisconsinites. However, bettors are unable to wager on their beloved Badgers at the moment as the Oneida Casino sportsbook does not accept bets on in-state collegiate programs or events.
Other types of gambling in Wisconsin
Sports betting is active in Wisconsin in a limited context, but it is not the only type of gambling available in the state. In fact, there are plenty of ways to place a bet in Wisconsin, regardless of where you live.
Casinos
Although there are no commercial casinos in Wisconsin, there are plenty of tribal-owned locations. In fact, there are more than two dozen casinos in the state. Some of these outlets are merely a home for a smattering of slot machines. Others are full-service locations with slots, table games, poker, bingo and keno. The bingo options are of particular note, as some of the casinos offer high-stakes options that are rarely available in other states. Some of the casinos in the stat include the Bad River Lodge & Casino in Odanah and the Legendary Waters Resort Casino in Red Cliff.
Online gambling
You can legally play online casino games in Wisconsin — sort of. Much like you can access an online sportsbook in a few small areas of Wisconsin, there is an online casino-like app available at one of the other casino properties in the state. Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac du Flambeau offers instant games through a special app.
For the most part, the games function in the same manner as online lottery scratchers.
Horse betting
Wisconsin is not home to any horse tracks at this time. Consequently, there are no locations to observe live horse races or place pari-mutuel wagers on the races. There are some harness races that occur sporadically at county fairs, but no stable live racing venue is in service.
Wisconsin is home to two off-track betting locations, each located at a casino in the state. However, neither OTB is open for business at this time. Furthermore, representatives from both facilities could not give a firm estimate for when they might reopen.
People in Wisconsin can also bet on horses online. A number of legal sites offer odds on horse races around the country and, depending on the site, internationally.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports contests exist in a sort of void in the law. There is no law permitting companies like FanDuel or DraftKings to operate in Wisconsin, but there is no law prohibiting them from doing so, either. Most of the major DFS sites operate and accept players in Wisconsin. We will update this info if it changes.
Lottery
The Wisconsin Lottery offers a number of games to the state’s residents and visitors. Mega Millions and Powerball are both available to Wisconsinites as well as other draw games that are specific to Wisconsin. Instant win games or scratchers are also available throughout the state.
Wisconsin sports betting FAQ
Who regulates sports betting in Wisconsin?
So far, the Oneida Indian Nation. Since the Oneidas are the only group to offer sports betting in Wisconsin to date, the language in their amendment is all the regulation so far. According to the amendment, the standards and practices are subject only to the Oneidas’ “internal control standards,” but any subsequent tribal amendments with other groups will supersede the Oneidas’ standards.
Is statewide sports betting coming to Wisconsin?
There’s no indication that a statewide legalization in Wisconsin is imminent. There have been no moves to legalize sports betting in the Wisconsin Legislature worthy of note, and the most recent legislative session produced no action on the issue whatsoever.
How old do you have to be to bet on sports?
The Oneidas require you to be 21 or older to bet on sports.
Do you have to be inside Wisconsin to bet?
Yes. In fact, you must be at one of the legal areas in the Green Bay region to wager. You will need to verify your location to the Oneida Nation sportsbook app’s geolocation software prior to the completion of any wagers that you make. Otherwise you won’t be able to bet.
Do you have to be a Wisconsin resident to bet?
No. Anyone who is 21 or older and in one of the betting areas may place sports wagers in Wisconsin. There is no residency requirement.
Why can I find online sportsbooks that say they are legal in Wisconsin?
Such online sportsbooks reside in a legal gray area. Because Wisconsin law does not specifically outlaw online sports betting, these outlets offer their services in legal limbo. These sportsbooks are based outside the United States. Given the lack of legal oversight by any US or state authority, playing on these sportsbooks opens you to the possibility of losing your deposit, having withdrawals refused or having your identity stolen or sold. Don’t risk it — stick to the legal sports betting options in Wisconsin.