Home to the Green Bay Packers , the state’s pride and joy, Wisconsin isn’t the first state that comes to mind when you are thinking about placing a wager on sports. However, thanks to the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, the Wisconsin sports market is starting to game more and more national recognition beyond just their flagship NFL franchise. It also helps that Wisconsin legalized retail sports betting back in 2021.
*The Malibu of the Midwest isn’t known for its gambling, but bettors have worked with the oddsmakers we’ve listed above for years. Lack of interest in law change from state governors means bettors will have to wait to play with US-based online operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, BetRivers, Fox Bet, and Unibet.
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Can I bet on sports in Wisconsin? Betting on Wisconsin Sports Teams Wisconsin Sports Betting Legalization Timeline Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting on Sports in Wisconsin Wisconsin CasinosNow that a handful of casinos in Wisconsin offer sports betting, you might think there'd be a stronger push to legalize online sports betting. At this time, though, lawmakers have yet to show real interest. Instead, they have focused on gradually expanding the number of sports betting licenses awarded to tribal casinos. And though many experts believe online sports betting in Wisconsin is considered inevitable, they also recognize it is like still years away.
Daily Fantasy was recently legalized in Wisconsin and could prove to be a great gateway for online sports betting legalization. After determining that fantasy sports are a game of skill versus a game of chance, they decided to allow DFS operators to offer contests and leagues to Wisconsin residents. Then again, with so many states now deeming DFS the same as general sports betting and forcing DFS providers to leave their market, the opposite could also prove true.
Horse and dog racing are legal in Wisconsin, and you are able to bet on both racings types—but not on-site. You are able to place wagers in-person at off-track betting locations in the state.
Can I bet on sports in Wisconsin?
Yes, as of November 2021, you can bet on sports in Wisconsin. For the time being, though, you must use one of the tribal casinos with a sportsbook. Wisconsin has yet to legalize online sports betting.
However, the offshore online sportsbooks we recommend are safe and secure. We review the top sportsbooks in the industry and ensure you are getting all of the information before you sign up.
Signing up and betting online is fast and easy, and you are able to bet on live events at most online sportsbooks. Often, online sportsbooks have exceptional odds and you can really pad your bankroll by taking advantage of bonuses and promotions. Some sportsbooks even have loyalty programs where you can earn points, free plays, invites to events, and more.
Betting on Wisconsin Sports Teams
The most popular team in the state is the Green Bay Packers, who recently hit their 100-year milestone in the NFL, and who have earned 15 championships, 11 of which are pre-Super Bowl.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the resident NBA team in Wisconsin. They haven’t been known to be powerhouses in their division or in the league in general, but they did win championships in 1971 and 2021. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on the roster moving forward, they should remain among the most relevant squads in the NBA for at least the next few years.
The Milwaukee Brewers represents Wisconsin in the Major League Baseball. It has won two National League Central Division titles since it began playing.
The Wisconsin Badgers college basketball team routinely earns a spot in March Madness, and while they have no championship yet, they have made it to a National Championship game.
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Wisconsin Sports Betting
- April 13, 2024 — The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians have been approved to offer sports gambling services in the Badger State. It is expected they will eventually open a sportsbook at the lone casino they operate, the Lake of the Torches Resort Casino.
- March 12, 2024 — The St. Croix Casino in Hertel now offers in-person sports betting. The Hertel location is the third St. Croix Casino to offer retail sports betting.
- January 28, 2024 - Local sports betting groups are keen to push change in Wisconsin, but there is still overwhelming resistance from state lawmakers.
- January 4, 2024 — A new agreement with the Menominee Tribe gaming authority gained approval from the Kenosha City Council. The future site of a Hard Rock casino development is the tribe's reservation.
- October 4, 2023 - The Wisconsin Badgers have a clash with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on tap for Week 6, and bettors will want to tune in as the Badgers take on a Rutgers team riding high after crushing Wagner 52-3.
- August 3, 2023 - Wisconsin's backfield features RB Braelon Allen, expected to turn pro after this season, and Clemson transfer Chez Mellusi, who returns from injury after missing 9 games for the Badgers last year.
- July 1, 2023 - According to a top Oneida Casino official, there is a strong probability for the expansion of sportsbooks in Wisconsin, as Potawatomi casinos have already joined the growing list of venues offering sports betting in the state.
- June 12, 2023 - Despite the ongoing discussions surrounding sports betting in Wisconsin, there seems to be a lack of motivation to introduce comprehensive legislation that would regulate it statewide.
- March 7, 2023 - Potawatomi Hotel Casino in Milwaukee recently opened its first-ever sportsbook, just in time for a big college basketball weekend, making it an exciting destination for sports fans.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
2018-2019: A Bit of Attention is All We got
Even though the state of Wisconsin had the opportunity to open up sports betting and start collecting that tax revenue, they did not really consider it in 2018. Perhaps with the Native American casinos and state lottery, there is some resistance to more competition.
The only real mention of sports betting came when Representative Vorpagel said he wanted to bring it up in the legislature. No bills were introduced.
2020-2021: Continued Stagnation
No bills have been introduced in the state legislature in these years. Very little attention has been given to this theme. This is surprising as states were strapped for cash during the height of the pandemic.
2021-24: Wisconsin Legalizes Retail Sports Betting
Wisconsin legalized retail sports betting throughout the state back in 2021. As part of the process, only tribal operators are allowed to open a sportsbook. The first Wisconsin on-site sportsbook launched in November 2021. Since then, another two casinos have added sportsbooks, with more set to join them in the near future.
Online sportsbooks in the United States, on the other hand, are still waiting to enter the market. After green lighting retail sports betting for tribes, the Badger State has shown little interest in making further changes to its gaming laws. With that said, the vast majority of people within the industry—including tribal operators in Wisconsin—believe online sports betting will be legalized sometime down the line.
Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting on Sports in Wisconsin
If you’re ready to sign up and start betting on sports from Wisconsin, you need to do your research before you select a sportsbook. The sportsbook that has the big bonus might not be available in your state, or not have the deposit option you want to use, so you have to consider a few different options before you hit the ‘join’ button.
We have done most of the grunt work for you. You can read our online sportsbook reviews and determine which sportsbook is a good match for you by evaluating the criteria we have laid out. Whether it’s the deposit and payout options, bonuses, mobile-friendliness, or even the sports odds available, we can help you make an educated decision before signing up at an online sportsbook.
Wisconsin Casinos
While online sports betting in Wisconsin isn’t legal yet, like in many US States, there are three tribal casinos that currently offer sports betting services on-site. And with many more casinos operating in the state, the list of retail locations that could open in the future is quite extensive, as you can see below:
- Bad River Lodge and Casino in Odanah, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls in Black River Falls, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison in Madison, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa in Nekoosa, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Tomah in Tomah, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells in Baraboo, WI
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg in Wittenberg, WI
- Grindstone Creek Casino in Hayward, WI
- IMAC Casino/Bingo/OTB in Green Bay, WI
- Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac Du Flambeau, WI
- Legendary Waters Resort and Casino in Red Cliff, WI
- Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena, WI
- Mole Lake Casino in Crandon, WI
- North Star Mohican Casino Resort in Bowler, WI
- Oneida W. Mason Casino in Green Bay, WI
- Oneida Main-Airport Casino in Green Bay, WI
- Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel in Wabeno, WI
- Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee, WI
- Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge and Conference Center in Hayward, WI
- St. Croix Casino Hotel in Webster, WI
- St. Croix Casino Danbury in Danbury, WI
- St Croix Casino Turtle Lake in Turtle Lake, WI
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