Is sports betting legal in Wisconsin?
Yes. As of Nov. 30, 2021, legalized sports betting is a viable option for Wisconsinites. Oneida Casino is now the only location in the state where legal sports betting can take place, with the Oneida Nation tribe planning to allow wagering at all its casinos and additional properties soon.
On Aug. 20, 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs approved revisions to a gaming compact signed in July by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and the Oneida Nation’s chairman Tehassi Hill, which included provisions for event wagering on tribal lands.
However, delays in software, hardware, and supply chain delivery forced the Oneida Nation to miss its Green Bay casino’s anticipated Nov. 1, 2021 sportsbook rollout date.
Now, with retail wagering a reality, mobile sports betting is on its way but will be limited to Oneida property in accordance with state laws, meaning that Wisconsinites won't have the same access to popular websites and apps that neighboring states offer.
The other 10 Wisconsin tribes with gaming compacts have yet to announce any sports betting plans.
Our U.S. legal tracker includes the latest on each state's sports betting legalization progress.
Timeline of sports betting in Wisconsin
The approval of the revisions to the gaming compact with the Oneida Nation demonstrates state leadership’s eagerness to access the lucrative sports betting market.
Entering into new gaming compacts with the remaining 10 Wisconsin Native American tribes is also on Gov. Evers' agenda. These movements signal expansion to Wisconsin’s fresh launch of legalized sports betting.
Keep track of milestones and notable events surrounding the legalization of sports betting in Wisconsin:
May 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), enabling individual states to create their own sports betting rules and regulations.
Jan. 7, 2019: Governor Tony Evers assumes office in Wisconsin. Gov. Evers works on a gaming compact that would allow the state to split sports betting revenue with tribes.
March 15, 2020: Nearby state, Michigan, launches in-person sports betting followed by online sports betting in January 2021. It continues to see a steady increase in revenue for 2021.
July 1, 2021: Wisconsin legalizes in-person sports betting. Gov. Evers signs compact gaming agreements with all 11 federally recognized Tribes of Indians in Wisconsin.
July 13, 2021: The Oneida Nation is the first Native American tribe in WI to announce that it will launch sports betting in fall 2021.
Aug. 20, 2021: The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs approves a compact amendment signed in July, giving the Oneida Nation the green light to offer sports betting.
Sept. 2, 2021: International Game Technology (IGT) announces that its PlaySports platform will expand into Wisconsin through an agreement to power sports betting at Oneida Casino.
Nov. 30, 2021: After numerous delays, the Oneida Nation begins holding the state’s first legal sports bets at its Green Bay casino.
Dec. 20, 2021: Gov. Tony Evers and the St. Croix Chippewa Indians sign a gaming compact amendment to allow the tribe to offer event wagering on-site at its three WI casinos. Turtle Lake Casino will look to open a sportsbook in time for Super Bowl 56.
Online sports betting: Coming soon to Wisconsin
Online wagering is not available just yet. Mobile betting at Oneida Casino is permitted, but the location has yet to release its sportsbook app. As more Wisconsin tribal casinos allow sports betting, retail and mobile wagering activities will be limited to tribal lands.
Who can bet on sports in Wisconsin?
The minimum gambling age for visitors to WI tribal casinos is 21 years old. Those looking to bet on sports are subject to the same treatment.
Sports betting activities are limited to tribal casinos, meaning you can download the apps anywhere in WI but can only place a wager on tribal lands at affiliated sports betting venues.
Here's a list of what you need to know before placing your first sports wager in the Equality State.
Legal age
21 is the minimum gambling age for sports betting in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin's legal gambling age is 18, but that applies to charitable games and the state lottery. Twenty-one is the minimum gambling age in Wisconsin tribal casinos, which means sports betting gets the same treatment.
Mobile betting
For now, Wisconsin mobile sports betting is permitted but limited to Oneida property. International Game Technology (IGT) supports the Oneida Nation's retail and upcoming online sports betting products at its Oneida Casino in Green Bay.
Remote registration
Wisconsin requires bettors to register in person. The only location where you can do that at the moment is Oneida Casino in Green Bay.
Within state borders
States with legal sports betting laws and regulations in place leverage geolocation software. This practice ensures that all WI online sports gambling activities take place within state lines.
Retail sportsbooks
The only legal retail sportsbook currently operating in Wisconsin is Oneida Casino in Green Bay. However, the Oneida Nation will eventually allow sports wagering at all its other locations.
Taxable winnings
Wisconsin gambling winnings are taxable and must be reported on your income tax return. As such, any winnings from your respective sports betting activities will be treated similarly.
Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2022
While Wisconsinites now have one retail location to partake in legal sports betting, the desire for statewide online and mobile wagering, in particular, may draw them to nearby neighborly options.
Illinois has recorded its first $5 billion in sports betting, while Iowa and Michigan have all launched legal online and in-person sports wagering, too.
The pros and cons of Wisconsin sports betting
Now that legal sports betting is fully underway at Oneida Casino, there is a blueprint for Wisconsin state officials to follow as they begin to renegotiate gaming pacts with other tribal casinos.
This should increase optimism for more legal sports betting locations in 2022.
Oneida Casino offers a fully legal in-person sports betting experience
The Oneida Tribe is planning to expand sports wagering to all its properties
New gaming compacts with the remaining WI tribes is on Gov. Evers' agenda
Oneida Casino is the sole option for sports bettors right now
Mobile and online betting still in the works
Renegotiating remaining gaming pacts could be difficult
How to start betting in Wisconsin
Wisconsin bettors must register in person to wager on sports. Oneida Casino is presently the only retail sportsbook for those looking to bet in person, and mobile betting will soon be available on-site.
1
Select a sportsbook
For now, the only legal and state-regulated sportsbook you can register with is Oneida Casino. While you wait for more options to arrive, you can read our sportsbook reviews to learn about their various features and options.
2
Register online
Wisconsin sports bettors cannot sign up with a sportsbook from their own home or elsewhere in the state and may only do so at Oneida Casino for now. Eventually, in-person registration will also be possible at other tribal properties.
To verify your identity, you must supply personal information and produce a driver’s license or SSN.
3
Claim a bonus
Online sportsbooks consistently attract new players with promotions, bonuses, and perks. It is unclear what these will be for Oneida Casino.
Keep an eye out for risk-free bets, no-deposit bonuses, and deposit matches. The rub here is that the offers are occasionally too restrictive. Reading the fine print is your first line of defense.
4
Deposit funds
Before placing any bets at Oneida Casino, you'll have to make an in-person cash deposit. The casino does not accept options such as debit or credit cards, electronic transfers, or money orders as deposit methods.
6
Start betting
Shopping the various betting lines is an excellent tool for your bankroll management strategy. As more of them arrive, not all WI sportsbooks will post the same odds, meaning you can likely get a better deal elsewhere.
7
Withdraw funds
It’s always vital to read through the terms and conditions tied to withdrawing funds from any given sportsbook. Sometimes, these transactions could be immediate or take one to two days to process.
Reading the odds
American odds are the default option used by operators across the U.S. The minus (-) and plus (+) signs indicate favorites and underdogs, respectively.
For favorites, the number you see informs you of the amount you would have to wager to win $100. -150 odds show you that a $150 bet would net you $100 in winnings.
Underdogs are treated differently, with the plus sign used to display the amount you would win for placing a $100 bet. As an example, +110 odds tell you a $100 stake would fetch $110 in profit.
Outside of North America, sportsbooks display odds as fractions and decimals. Our in-house odds converter lets you flip through all three types of betting odds.
What you can't bet on in Wisconsin
Even though Wisconsinites can now legally wager on sporting events, some limitations remain.
We're monitoring all developments and keeping this section up-to-date as news becomes available.
Politics
No wagering on elections or political events will be allowed.
esports
It remains to be seen whether any specific gaming laws will apply to regulating Wisconsin esports competitions.
Wisconsin college sports
Betting on Wisconsin's college teams is prohibited, but you can wager on out-of-state college teams.
What about entertainment awards ceremonies?
Along with the ability to bet on sports, Oneida Casino has also made it known that wagering on nationally televised awards shows, such as the Academy Awards, is permitted on-site.
Legal sportsbooks in Wisconsin
There is only one location for retail sports betting in WI: Oneida Casino.
Wisconsin's land-based sportsbooks
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Sportsbook
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Mobile app
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Odds provider
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Online casino
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Retail partner
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Oneida Casino Sportsbook
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Coming soon
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IGT
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No
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Oneida Casino
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Home team advantage: Wisconsin sports
Now that legal sports wagering has begun at Oneida Casino, players will be able to place bets on all the major sports.
Sporting the home team's colors feels good—we're looking at you Packers Cheeseheads —but that personal emotion can hurt your bankroll. Brush up on the basics of sports betting with our how to guides.
Other types of gambling
Despite its many tribal casinos, pari-mutuel wagering, and the state lottery, Wisconsin does not have a long history with legal sports betting.
Casino
There are 26 casinos in Wisconsin, plus plans to build a new Ho-Chunk Nation casino in Beloit. Casino activity is relegated to in-person betting as mobile casino operators are prohibited.
Poker
The state boasts four poker rooms in Greater Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Southern WI, and Northern Highland.
Horse racing
Betting on horse racing is legal in Wisconsin. The absence of any permanent race tracks means that much of the betting action takes place online.
Wisconsin bettors can access horse races across the globe via online horse betting apps, including TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica.
Daily fantasy sports
No rules forbidding daily fantasy sports (DFS) exist in Wisconsin. Those in-state bettors can access sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo Fantasy Sports.
Responsible gaming in Wisconsin
Resources related to problem gambling are widely available in Wisconsin. Individuals can intentionally exclude themselves from all betting activity by joining Wisconsin's self-exclusion programs.
Now that sportsbooks have begun arriving in Wisconsin, players will have access to tools designed to curb gambling activity. There are options to set deposit, wager, and loss limits.
Visit Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
Each U.S. state gained the ability to legalize and regulate sports betting in 2018. These states have already gone down that route:
