TL;DR: Sports betting in Wisconsin remains limited as of 2026, with no statewide online or mobile sportsbooks approved. Traditional sports bets can only be placed in person at select tribal casinos that have amended gaming compacts. However, Wisconsin residents can still legally participate through Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and sports prediction markets like Novig, which offer peer-to-peer trading without built-in sportsbook margins.
Current Legal Status in Wisconsin (2026)
As of 2026, sports betting in Wisconsin remains limited.
The state has not approved any statewide online or mobile sportsbooks, and no commercial betting apps operate under Wisconsin law. The only legal way to place a traditional sports bet is in person at select tribal casinos that have amended gaming compacts to include sports wagering.
That said, Wisconsin residents still have other legal ways to participate in sports outcomes, including sports prediction markets such as Novig and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms, which operate outside Wisconsin’s sportsbook framework.
The Current Landscape of Sports Betting in Wisconsin
Post-PASPA: NO Immediate Legislative Action (2018-2020)
After the federal ban on sports betting was lifted in 2018, many states moved quickly to pass comprehensive sports betting laws. Wisconsin did not.
Between 2018 and 2020, lawmakers did not advance any statewide sports betting legislation. Wisconsin’s constitution places stricter limits on gambling expansion than many states, creating a higher bar for legalization through traditional legislative means.
The First Legal Sports Bets Through Tribal Compacts (2021)
Wisconsin’s first legal sports bets came through tribal gaming compacts rather than new statewide laws.
In 2021, Governor Tony Evers approved an amendment to the Oneida Nation gaming compact, allowing in-person sports betting at the tribe’s Green Bay casino. This marked the first time sports betting became legal in Wisconsin, but only on tribal land and only in person.
Following that approval, additional tribes amended their compacts in 2022 and 2023 to include sports betting at their casino properties. Each expansion occurred through individual compact negotiations rather than statewide authorization.
Statewide Online Betting Proposals Stall
While tribal compact amendments succeeded, broader efforts to legalize sports betting statewide stalled. Lawmakers did not pass any comprehensive sports betting legislation, and no constitutional amendment was placed before voters. Compared to other states, Wisconsin’s constitutional framework continues to present a major obstacle to online or mobile sports betting expansion.
Where Things Stand Entering 2026
Heading into 2026, Wisconsin’s sports betting environment remains fragmented.
Sports betting is legal only at certain tribal casino locations. Online and mobile sportsbooks are still prohibited statewide, and there are no active bills or approved plans to expand sports betting through statewide legislation.
Unless a major constitutional or legislative shift happens, this structure is expected to remain in place.
What’s Legal to Bet on in Wisconsin
Since sports betting is offered only through tribal casinos, available markets can vary by location.
Most tribal sportsbooks allow wagering on:
- Major professional sports
- Moneylines, spreads, and totals
- Parlays
Some tribal casinos also offer college sports betting, though availability can differ by tribe and location. Bettors should confirm available markets directly with the casino they plan to visit.
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, such as Novig, allow users to trade sports outcomes rather than placing traditional bets against a sportsbook. These platforms operate as peer-to-peer markets where prices are driven by supply and demand instead of house-set lines with built-in vig.
Since prediction markets are not regulated as sportsbooks, they operate independently of Wisconsin’s sports betting restrictions.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily Fantasy Sports platforms offer another legal option in Wisconsin. DFS contests include draft-style competitions, pick’em formats, and salary-cap games.
Since DFS is not classified as sports betting under current Wisconsin law, these contests remain legal and widely available.
Why Novig Makes Sense for Wisconsin Players
Wisconsin’s sports betting rules give players limited flexibility. Since traditional sports betting is restricted to in-person tribal casinos, many bettors must travel to a casino and accept whatever pricing is offered on-site.
As America’s #1 sports prediction market, Novig provides a more flexible alternative. Novig allows Wisconsin users to trade sports outcomes from home without relying on house-set odds. Novig’s no-vig pricing structure removes the sportsbook margin entirely, helping users get more competitive prices over time.
For Wisconsin players who want legal access, sharper pricing, and the ability to participate without leaving home, Novig fits cleanly 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?
Traditional sports bets can only be placed in person at approved tribal casino locations. Sports trades can also 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.
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. Novig operates as a prediction market rather than a licensed sportsbook. Always review in-app eligibility requirements and platform terms.
