Wisconsin Sports Betting: Latest News & Legal Status (2025)
As of 2025, sports betting in Wisconsin is still limited. The state has not approved any online or mobile sportsbooks, and there are no commercial betting apps that operate under Wisconsin law. The only legal way to place a sports bet is in person at select tribal casinos. However, you can get that same sportsbook feel trading on prediction markets / exchanges (like Novig), or DFS platforms.
The Current Landscape of Sports Betting in Wisconsin
Post-PASPA: NO Immediate Legislative Action (2018-2020)
Wisconsin’s path to legal sports betting has been slow and highly limited compared to most other states. When the federal ban on sports betting was overturned in 2018, many states moved quickly to pass legislation. Wisconsin, on the other hand, did not. In the years following the PASPA decision, Wisconsin has had no success advancing a comprehensive sports betting bill.
The First Legal Sports Bets Through Tribal Compacts (2021)
The first real movement on Wisconsin sports betting came through tribal gaming agreements rather than new state laws. In 2021, Governor Tony Evers approved an amendment to the Oneida Nation’s gaming compact, which allowed the tribe to offer in-person sports betting at its Green Bay casino. This was the first time legal sports bets occurred in Wisconsin, but only in-person and on tribal land.
Since the first approval in 2021, additional compact amendments have been made. In 2022 and 2023, other tribes received approval to include sports betting in their gaming offerings. Each approval was issued through compact negotiations rather than statewide law.
Statewide Online Betting Proposals Stall
During the period that compacts were having success in pushing forward sports betting, broader statewide proposals failed to gain traction. Lawmakers did not pass any legislation on the issue and no constitutional amendment was even put before voters. Compared to other states, Wisconsin’s constitution places extra strict limits on gambling expansion, which has created a high barrier for any statewide betting legislation.
Where Things Stand Entering 2026
As we near 2026, Wisconsin’s sports betting landscape remains somewhat fragmented. Sports betting is legal only at certain tribal casinos, while online and mobile sportsbooks remain prohibited statewide. Furthermore, there are no current bills or approved plans to expand the sports betting footprint in Wisconsin through statewide legislation.
What’s Legal to Bet on in Wisconsin
Since legal sports betting is fragmented across tribal casinos, the offered games and props can differ from one place to the next. While each tribe has unique gaming agreements, most allow bettors to place wagers on major professional sports in the form of moneylines, spreads, totals, and parlays.
Some tribal sportsbooks also offer college sports betting, but it is best to check with your closest approved casino since it can vary.
Where You Can Legally Bet in Wisconsin
Since sports betting in Wisconsin is limited to certain tribal casinos, many other forms of sports betting remain prohibited in Wisconsin. The state does not allow commercial sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM to operate.
Nonetheless, there are still ways for Wisconsin residents to participate in sports trades from the comfort of their couch. There are two other common, legal options available to players in the state: Prediction Markets and Daily Fantasy Sports.
Prediction Markets
Sports prediction markets, like Novig, allow users to trade on sports outcomes rather than placing traditional bets against a sportsbook. These platforms operate as peer-to-peer markets and run on supply and demand instead of a house line that includes built-in vig.
Because prediction markets are not regulated as sportsbooks, they operate independently from Wisconsin’s sports betting restrictions.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Another available option can be found in Daily Fantasy Sports platforms. DFS contests include draft-style competitions, pick’em formats, and salary-cap games.
Due to DFS contests not being regulated as sports betting under current Wisconsin law, they are fully legal to participate in.
Why Novig Makes Sense for Wisconsin Players
Wisconsin’s sports betting rules leave players with limited flexibility and few options. Since legal sports betting is restricted to in-person tribal casinos, most participants have to drive to the casino and accept whatever pricing they give them.
As America’s #1 sports prediction market, Novig offers a more flexible and convenient alternative. It allows Wisconsin players to participate by placing trades from the comfort of their home. Additionally, Novig’s no-vig structure empowers users to get the best pricing, rather than being at the mercy of sportsbook’s built-in house margins.
For Wisconsin players who want legal access, an edge on pricing, and the ability to participate without leaving home, Novig provides a great option within the state’s current legal framework.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, but only in a limited form. Sports betting is legal in person at certain tribal casinos.
Can you bet on sports online in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not allow statewide online or mobile sports betting through traditional sportsbooks.
Where can you legally place a sports trade in Wisconsin?
Legal sports bets can only be placed in person at approved tribal casino locations. Sports trades can be legally placed on sports prediction markets, like Novig.
How old do you have to be to bet on sports in Wisconsin?
You must be at least 21 years old to place a legal sports bet in Wisconsin.
Are DraftKings or FanDuel legal in Wisconsin?
No - commercial sportsbook apps like DraftKings and FanDuel are not authorized to operate in Wisconsin.
Is Novig legal in Wisconsin?
Yes - as a prediction market (not a licensed sportsbook). Always review Novig’s in-app eligibility and Terms.
