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Which online sportsbooks will launch in Wisconsin first?
ATS » Sportsbooks » Wisconsin Betting Sites and Mobile Sportsbooks. It is a touch surprising that Wisconsin is so far behind so many other states when it comes to sports betting, but it remains the case well into 2020. Wisconsin has casinos, but all of them are Native American-owned. Tribal gaming compacts are a tricky business in a lot of. Only customers 21 and over are permitted to wager. You must be over 21 to play and bet on Wind Creek. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER. About Wind Creek. Wind Creek Rewards.
It’s difficult to determine which online sportsbooks will launch in Wisconsin, given that sports betting is still illegal. However, we can provide a best guess by looking at nearby states and other jurisdictions across the country that have sportsbooks.
We can build a list of potential online operators just by looking at other states like Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Some names you would be most likely to see launch are:
These are some (but not all) of the potential online sportsbooks that could show up in the Badger State once a bill is passed.
How online sports betting would work in Wisconsin
Online sports betting tends to work the same in every state. Odds are, when it arrives in Wisconsin, it will function as it does in other states where it’s legal.
Geolocation will ensure sports betting will only work if you are within state borders. So the minute you leave Wisconsin, you will no longer be able to place bets.
Depending on the type of legislation passed, there will be two ways to activate an online account.
- Traditional — in-person sign-up: Customers sign up at a physical location like a casino.
- Preferred — remote registration: Customers download an app or use a desktop computer to sign up anywhere in the state.
Wisconsin is home to several tribal casinos, so it’s highly unlikely in-person registration will be the method. Most state gambling control boards do not have authority over tribal facilities; therefore there is no way to enforce an in-person sign-up method.
Downloading a sports betting app
Once online sports betting is legal, the first thing to do is to follow one of our links to the sportsbook you’re interested in. There should be buttons for both iOS (Apple) and Android users.
- For iPhone users, download the app through the usual process to get started. Make sure to double-check whether there is an app specific to residents of Wisconsin on your sportsbook of choice.
- Android users need to set their phones to allow installations from other sources, then visit the site through their browsers (Chrome) to get the download started.
Registering for a new account and depositing money
You will need to provide some information to activate your account; this goes for in-person and remote registration. Various bits of personal information will be required in order to generate your new sports betting account. Be sure to have a username and password picked out, as well.
Information you may have to provide includes:
- Name
- Email address
- Date of birth
- Cell phone number
- Address
- Social Security number (or last four digits)
There may be an optional box for a bonus code somewhere in the registration area. If our link indicates that there is a code, make sure to enter it here.
Once you sign up and have an active account, you will be able to transfer funds in and out of your account to place bets. Some operators might try to get you to do this immediately after registering, but don’t proceed until you are comfortable doing so.
There are a variety of options for transferring and withdrawing money online.
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Some of the options to fund and withdraw from your account include:
- Credit or debit cards
- Online bank transfers
- Wire transfers
- Electronic checks
- Prepaid cards
- Electronic wallets
- Cash at the cage of a partner land-based casino
- Checks or money orders
Not all sportsbooks will have all of these options. Furthermore, the options at a particular site can change as it negotiates new deals with vendors.
Retail sports betting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has zero commercial casinos. However, it does have 11 Native American tribes that operate 27 gambling locations spread across the state. Due to this, should retail sports betting be legalized, it will operate at tribal facilities.
There is a possibility, and it has been done before, that operators like DraftKings, FanDuel and William Hill could partner with these casinos in order to launch in the state.
But just because there is a gambling facility does not mean there will automatically be sports betting. That decision will be left up to each individual tribe and how the law is written.
Betting on pro, collegiate teams in Wisconsin
The only major sport missing in Wisconsin, surprisingly, is hockey. The state does have major franchises for MLB, NBA and NFL. Additionally, the state is home to 30 colleges of various divisions, most notably the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University.
Once sports betting is legalized, customers will have a number of local teams to place wagers on.
- Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
- Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
- Green Bay Packers (NFL)
- Wisconsin Badgers (Big 10)
- Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East)
Depending on how lawmakers structure a bill, betting on collegiate sports may or may not be available. In states like New Jersey, it’s illegal to wager on in-state schools.
What can you bet on at future Wisconsin sportsbooks?
Odds are, traditional bets like single-match outcomes, parlays and professional props will be available at WI sportsbooks.
Here is a brief list of traditional bets expected to be available in Wisconsin one day.
Background on Wisconsin sports betting laws
At the moment, there are no official laws to govern sports betting in Wisconsin.
When it comes to state-regulated sportsbooks, Wisconsin remains on the sidelines. There are a few substantial hurdles that would have to be overcome if domestic Wisconsin sports betting was to become legal within the state's borders.
The first obstacle being the fact that Wisconsin's constitution prohibits state based gambling (tribal gaming is exempt). To legalize sportsbooks at the state level, a bill would have to make it through two consecutive legislative sessions and then would then require a statewide referendum to become valid.
The second hurdle, that if overcome, could launch sports wagering in WI, is convincing the state's tribal gambling operations to expand their offerings to include sports betting options. As of this writing, the tribal casino owners are not interested.
Based on the mountains that would need to be climbed, sports fans in the Badger State probably shouldn't hold their breath. The good news is that Wisconsin is one of the multiple states that have no laws against sports betting from legally licensed offshore sportsbooks.
Is Sports Betting Legal In Wisconsin?
State-regulated sports betting is not legal in Wisconsin, and legislatively speaking, is not even on their radar at this point. We do hope that Wisconsin can get off the sidelines and into the game concerning state-regulated sports wagering, but until then, online sportsbooks legally operating outside of the United States present a viable option that does not violate any state or US federal gambling laws.
Wisconsin Sports Betting Bills
Wisconsin lawmakers have not introduced any bills addressing legal sports betting to its legislature since PASPA's removal, despite the fact that the only federal law preventing them from doing so has been repealed.
We see no evidence that sports gambling is a priority to lawmakers or the public in Wisconsin, and even if they do decide to take on the uphill treck to setting the stage, it will still take considerable time, regardless of which path they attempt to forge.
With the legislative session for 2019 over, we can't expect any possibility of a bill relevant to sports betting being introduced until 2020's legislative session. If and when the state has any bill action, we'll update this page and monitor the legislation through our state sports betting bill tracker.
Top Online Sportsbooks That Accept Wisconsin Residents
Here you will find our recommendations for the most trusted online sportsbooks that legally accept Wisconsin bettors. They have been personally vetted by our team and have satisfied our stringent requirements for inclusion in this guide.
These brands all enjoy an impeccable reputation throughout the global gambling market. If you want more information concerning the brands listed below, visit our unbiased US sportsbook reviews page for an in-depth evaluation of our recommended sites.
Site Name | Current Bonus | U.S. | Visit Site |
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50% Max $250 | Visit Site Review | ||
2 | 50% Max $1,000 | Visit Site Review | |
3 | 50% Max $1,000 | Visit Site Review | |
4 | 100% Max $500 | Visit Site Review |
Wisconsin Sports Betting Details
Since state-regulated sports betting is not legal in Wisconsin, the following details only apply to those online sportsbooks that legally operate outside of the United States and that accept bettors from Wisconsin. If the state moves forward with local sports betting legalization, we will update this information to include those details as well.
- Legal Sports Betting: Offshore Only
- Minimum Sports Betting Age: 18 years old via offshore
- Land-Based: n/a
- Online: Offshore Only
- Mobile: Offshore Only
- In-Play: Offshore Only
- Estimated Revenue: n/a
- Eligible Operators: n/a
- Commission: n/a
- Licensing Fee: n/a
- Tax Rate: n/a
- Tax-Funded: n/a
What You Can Bet On in Wisconsin:
- You can participate in any betting action offered across all teams, sports, and leagues at offshore sportsbooks.
What You Can't Bet On in Wisconsin:
- The offshore sportsbooks have no restrictions for teams, sports, or leagues that apply to Wisconsin residents.
Where Can I Bet On Sports In Wisconsin?
- From inside the state's borders, residents can legally access any online sportsbooks that are operating offshore with the required licensing or that are owned and operated by a parent company that holds these credentials.
Biggest Sports Betting Cities in Wisconsin
Sports Betting In Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is home to the Milwaukee Brewers (MLB) and Milwaukee Bucks (NBA). The Brewers have been somewhat of a non-factor in the MLB recently and are considered to be in the midst of a rebuild. They play in the National League Central division.
The Bucks are a sleeper team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. They have the potential to qualify for the postseason given the current strength of the Eastern Conference, though it is doubtful they would advance to the NBA Finals. You can bet on either team through any of the licensed offshore sportsbooks recommended above.
Sports Betting In Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers compete in the NFC North and are one of the most historic franchises in NFL history. They have some of the most diehard fans in the league and are commonly known as “Cheeseheads,” and the team is a solid bet in most cases. In Green Bay, the Packers are annual favorites to make the postseason and could potentially reach the Super Bowl this season. Look for Packers betting lines on any of our suggested sportsbooks.
Sports Betting In Madison, WI
The Wisconsin Badgers is one of the better teams in the NCAA. They play in the Big Ten West division and are arguably the best team. The Badgers are touted for possible College Football Playoff selection this season and could make a run at a national championship.
You can bet on them throughout the regular season and into the postseason via NCAA betting lines provided by any of the offshore sportsbooks listed in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Betting In Wisconsin
Will I get arrested for betting on sports in Wisconsin?
Not if you place your bets at sportsbooks that are operating legally, such as the ones listed on this page. Betting on sports at online betting sites does not violate any of Wisconsin's gambling laws.
Local bookmakers are not authorized to accept bets anywhere in the state, so wagering with any local bookies could cause you to be associated with criminal activity. It is not likely you would be arrested for betting with an illegal bookie, but you were definitely be placing yourself in a questionable situation that we strongly recommend you avoid.
Are mobile sports betting apps legal in Wisconsin?
There are no state laws prohibiting the use of mobile sportsbooks that legally operate offshore. At this time, these are the only mobile betting apps available inside of Wisconsin.
What teams can I bet on in Wisconsin?
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The offshore sportsbooks listed on this page do not impose any restrictions for which teams Wisconsin residents can bet on. All lines for all teams are available, including professional, amateur and college teams.
Are there any local sportsbooks in Wisconsin?
Not yet. There are a number of tribal casinos that operate in the state that would make great destinations for sports betting if only the tribes were open to the idea. Wisconsin sports fans seeking a brick and mortar sportsbook will have to travel to a neighboring state that has already legalized them.
What is the legal minimum sports betting age in Wisconsin?
Being that the state has not yet legalized state-based sportsbook gambling, lawmakers have not established a legal minimum betting age either. The online sportsbooks you see featured on this page all accept Wisconsin bettors who are 18 and over.
Who regulates sports betting in Wisconsin?
Nobody yet. Should the state embrace the legalization of domestic sports betting, they will likely need to create a commission or agency to oversee it.
Wisconsin Legislative Resources
WI Gambling Resources
Following is a list of a few resources available to anyone in Wisconsin who is struggling with or worried about compulsive gambling. We understand that gambling addiction is a very serious, debilitating situation requires expert intervention.
We urge all sports fans to gamble responsibly, but if you see the situation getting away from you, or you see the symptoms of gambling addiction surface, please reach out to one of these options.
Wi Sports Network
WI Sports Betting
Wisconsin News
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