Sports Betting in Wisconsin: Legal Status and Key Developments
Current Legal Status of Sports Betting in Wisconsin
As of 2025, sports betting in Wisconsin is legal—but only under specific conditions. Unlike many other states that passed comprehensive legislation to legalize sports wagering statewide, Wisconsin took a unique approach by allowing sports betting through amended tribal compacts. This means that while sports betting is legal, it is not universally accessible across the state.
The key development came in July 2021 when Governor Tony Evers signed a new gaming compact amendment with the St. Croix Chippewa and later with the Oneida Nation. These agreements allowed tribal casinos to offer both retail and limited mobile sports betting, but only on tribal lands. There is no statewide mobile betting platform authorized under state law.
Where You Can Bet on Sports in Wisconsin
Currently, only a few tribal casinos have launched legal sports betting operations. Among them:
- Oneida Casino near Green Bay was the first to open a sportsbook in November 2021.
- St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake, Danbury, and Hertel later launched their own sportsbooks following the amended compacts.
These locations offer in-person betting, and some also have mobile kiosks available within the casino premises. However, you cannot legally place sports wagers from outside tribal land, even through mobile apps.
Types of Bets Allowed
Wisconsin’s tribal sportsbooks allow a broad range of bets, including:
- Point spreads
- Moneylines
- Over/under totals
- Parlays
- Prop bets
- Futures
However, wagers on in-state college teams may be restricted depending on the tribal operator’s internal policies. All betting must occur within tribal property or designated areas.
No Commercial Sportsbooks or Statewide Mobile Apps
Unlike states such as New Jersey or Michigan, Wisconsin has not legalized commercial sportsbooks or approved any state-licensed mobile betting apps. There is no DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM operating statewide. Any expansion beyond tribal casinos would require action by the Wisconsin legislature, which has so far shown little momentum to pursue it.
Tax Revenue and Economic Impact
Because sports betting in Wisconsin is limited to tribal operations, tax revenue does not flow through traditional state tax channels. Instead, it is governed by revenue-sharing agreements included in tribal compacts. The economic benefits are mostly concentrated in tribal communities and their casinos, rather than the broader state economy.
Future Outlook
There is growing interest in expanding sports betting access across Wisconsin, especially as neighboring states like Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan have embraced full mobile wagering. However, legal and political hurdles remain. Any substantial expansion would require amending the state constitution or passing new legislation—both of which face considerable debate.
If momentum builds, Wisconsin could eventually authorize commercial sportsbooks and full mobile betting. For now, though, sports wagering remains a tribal casino-based activity with limited accessibility.
Conclusion
Sports betting is legal in Wisconsin—but only through tribal casinos operating under amended compacts. Bettors must visit participating tribal lands to place wagers, either in-person or via on-site mobile platforms. Statewide mobile sports betting remains illegal, and there are no commercial sportsbooks. While the market is operational on a limited scale, its future expansion depends on legislative action and broader political support.
