Wisconsin Gambling Laws – Legal Overview
Today, we are going to tell you all about the legal games in Wisconsin and the local gambling legislation. In the state of Wisconsin, there are restrictions on online gambling and sports betting. On the other hand, you can visit numerous land-based Indian casinos, which offer all kinds of games. Stay with us if you want to learn more about the Wisconsin gambling laws.
In Wisconsin, tribal casinos are allowed. There are more than 20 of them, and they offer slots, poker, table games, and other gaming options. Furthermore, the gambling laws in Wisconsin also allow betting on horse races, dog races, and playing the lottery. Charitable gaming is a good option for WI residents who enjoy bingo and raffles.
History of Gambling in Wisconsin
The first form of gambling that the Wisconsin gambling laws authorized was charitable gaming. Today, the variety of legal gambling games is wider – you can choose between tribal casinos, pari-mutuel on-track betting, and lottery. In the list below, you can see all the reforms in the state’s gambling laws over the years:
- 1973 – Charitable gaming became legal in Wisconsin.
- 1987 – The WI lawmakers authorized lottery games.
- 1991 – The first tribal casinos signed their contracts with the state.
- 2003 – Wisconsin renegotiated with Indian casino owners and extended their rights.
- 2009 – Dairyland Greyhound Park, the last racetrack in the state, was closed.
Even if on-track betting is legal, there are no more racetracks in Wisconsin. The last one, Dairyland Greyhound Park, closed its doors due to a lack of revenue. Nevertheless, the Indian casinos compensate the WI residents and visitors by offering various gambling games.
Legal Gambling Games in Wisconsin
Compared to some of the US gambling laws which authorize all forms of gambling, Wisconsin may seem to have a rather conservative approach. Then again, the Badger State offers a satisfying number of options for fans of traditional land-based casinos. Here are the gambling options in WI and their legal status:
| Game Type | Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Indian Casinos | ✔️ Legal |
| Slots | ✔️ Legal |
| Table Games | ✔️ Legal |
| Poker | ✔️ Legal |
| Dice Games | ✔️ Legal |
| Lottery | ✔️ Legal |
| On-Track Betting | ✔️ Legal |
| Charitable Games | ✔️ Legal |
| Online Gambling | ❌ Illegal |
| Sports Betting | ❌ Illegal |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | ❌ Illegal |
As you can see in the table above, if you want to place a bet in Wisconsin, your best choice is Indian casinos. With a quality selection of games, they offer professional service and an authentic casino experience. Remember that WI online gambling is not legalized yet, so if you access an offshore casino site, you are doing it against the law.
Gambling Authorities in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Division of Gaming is divided into two subdivisions. The Office of Charitable Gaming protects the integrity of games like bingo and raffles conducted by charitable organizations. It also defends the public interests by exercising regular compliance audits, on-site investigations, and issuing licenses. Anyone who wants to organize a game of this kind must be authorized by the Division.
The Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance, on the other hand, ensures effective monitoring of tribal casino establishments. It applies high control standards and completes regular audits. The Division of Gaming is responsible for controlling the protection of financial data and compliance of vendors as well.
Lottery Games in the State of Wisconsin
The lottery is one of the legal gambling in Wisconsin options. You can play many lotto games offering big rewards. To purchase a lottery ticket, you must be 18 years old or older. Below, you can discover the complete list of the legal lottery games in Wisconsin.
- Powerball
- Mega Millions
- Megabucks
- Badger 5
- Supercash!
- All or Nothing
- Pick 3
- 10 Buck Luck
You can purchase the tickets in official retail stores. In addition to these multi-state games, in Wisconsin, you can also play scratchcards. Here, the Division of Gaming has no responsibilities. The WI lottery has a security department, which regulates all the procedures regarding drawing safety, fraud investigation, and scam protection.
Gambling in Wisconsin Indian Casinos
In 1988, the Wisconsin gambling laws allowed land-based casinos to operate exclusively on tribal lands. Tribal casinos are a safe choice for players who enjoy traditional gambling games. All of them comply with the rules of the local Division of Gaming. Here are the most popular Indian casinos in Wisconsin:
| Casino Name | Games Available | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Potawatomi Hotel & Casino | 2500 Slots, 99 Table Games, 20 Poker Tables | 1721 W Canal St., Milwaukee, 53233, USA |
| Lake of the Torches Resort & Casino | 800 Slots, 8 Table Games | 510 Old Abe Rd, Lac Du Flambeau, 54538, USA |
| Ho-Chunk Gaming Baraboo | 2200 Slots, 48 Table Games | S3214 County Hwy BD, Baraboo, 53913, USA |
Most of the tribal casinos are in Green Bay and the area around. Madison and Milwaukee also have several land-based casinos, where you can choose from thousands of slots, video poker, and table games. The most popular games at the tribal casinos in Wisconsin can also be found at many of the best USA online casinos. Examples include American Roulette, European Roulette, and blackjack. Some of them also organize poker tournaments, in which you can compete with other skilled players.
The WI land-based gambling halls are just as appealing as the best casinos in USA, as the variety of games and services is impressive. The most popular among them are craps, hazard, Chuck-a-Luck, and Sic Bo. Furthermore, you can play keno, 90-ball bingo, scratchcards, and many electronic games. There has been a proposition of opening one more tribal casino close to Beloit, but the project is still waiting for approval by the Division of Gaming.
Wisconsin Online Gambling Laws
According to the Wisconsin online gambling laws, playing at casino sites is illegal. Like in most US states, here as well, online slots, table games, and poker are not allowed. You won’t find any legal Wisconsin online casinos, so if you want to play gambling games, you should go for one of the many local Native American casinos. For the moment, there aren’t any upcoming changes in the online gambling laws in Wisconsin.
Sports Betting in Wisconsin
Sports betting is forbidden in the state of Wisconsin. There aren’t any licensed sportsbook retailers or sites. Daily Fantasy Sports are not actually illegal, though they aren’t stated as legal by the WI gambling laws, either. Even though horse racing and dog racing are allowed, there aren’t any open racetracks at the moment. The last racetrack in Wisconsin closed in 2009.
Legal Gambling Age in Wisconsin
For players who are 21 years old or older, land-based casinos are open. There are thousands of games, including slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and bingo. For lottery games, however, the Wisconsin legal gambling age is 18. The same goes for betting on horse races and dog races. To participate in charitable gaming, players must be at least 18 years old.
Legal Gambling in Wisconsin – Conclusion
Before proceeding to the FAQs section, we would like to sum up the WI gambling laws. Even though the local laws limit your options, there are many gaming venues in Wisconsin. Lottery games are fun and easy to find, but if you look for an authentic gambling experience, you can visit a tribal casino and play diverse slots and table games.
Another option are the neighboring states, which also offer plenty of legal gambling activities. If you are a fan of sports betting, we suggest you learn more about the Illinois gambling laws – the Prairie State allows its residents and visitors to bet on sports events both online and on-site.
Gambling Laws in Wisconsin FAQ
In this article, we did a detailed overview of the Wisconsin gambling laws. If you missed some information, below you can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the legal gambling games in the state. Learn more about the local laws, authorities, land-based casinos, and much more.
