Wisconsin Online Gambling: Quick Facts
- Legal Wisconsin online gambling options? N/A
- Legal gambling age: 21
- Who regulates Wisconsin online gambling? N/A
- Legal mobile gambling? No
- Do I need to be physically located in Wisconsin to gamble online? N/A
- Do I need to be a resident of Wisconsin to gamble online? N/A
- Sports available to bet on: None
A Brief History of Wisconsin Online Gambling
The history of online gambling in Wisconsin is brief indeed, as there haven’t been any recent attempts to even legalize the industry. Most states have at least seen bills introduced in recent years to change online gambling laws. However, that hasn’t been the case in Wisconsin.
In 1993, an article was added to the state constitution that prohibits all forms of gambling expansion. That article explains that a new constitutional amendment is needed to make a change. Lawmakers understand how difficult and unlikely this process would be.
Wisconsin Online Gambling: The Current Law
All gambling in Wisconsin must be done at one of the tribal casinos in the state. With two dozen options throughout the state, this does provide gamblers with some great opportunities.
You only have to be 18 years of age to play the lottery in Wisconsin. The legal age to visit a tribal casino is 21 years of age. Tribal casinos are open to both residents and visitors of Wisconsin, and most operate 24 hours a day.
Sports Betting in Wisconsin
It does seem likely that sports betting would be approved before online casino gambling, but that is still a longshot. If the sports betting industry were to launch, the betting would have to take place at the tribal casinos in the state.
Online sports betting is facing a similar problem as online casino gambling as the current law prohibits this form of betting. Wisconsin could become a large sports betting market, but this could be years away.
Here are some of the betting options that you will find in Wisconsin if the industry were to launch:
Legal Online Casinos in Wisconsin
With nearly 25 tribal casinos in operation in Wisconsin, this could create a competitive and healthy online casino industry if this was an approved option. Since there are no commercial casinos in the state, the Native American tribes would have complete control of the industry.
These tribes would be forced to partner with a company that has a background in online casino gaming. But companies would be lining up for a chance to break into the state. It would seem likely that nearly every tribe would launch an online casino site if given the opportunity.
The Potawatomi Bingo Casino near downtown Milwaukee is the largest tribal property in the state. This casino would become a leader in the online casino industry if it chose to do so based on its resources.
Legal Online Poker in Wisconsin
All poker games in Wisconsin must be played at the tribal casinos. But even this is done on a relatively small scale. Most tribal casinos in the state do have poker rooms, but they aren’t as large as most commercial casino properties.
In fact, Wisconsin has a law prohibiting any poker games for cash anywhere in the state outside of the tribal casino. This means that playing a cash poker game with buddies is technically illegal under state law.
Even if online casino gaming is approved in Wisconsin, it doesn’t mean that online poker will be legalized as well. With the way that the laws are currently written, it seems likely that online poker would be left out of any gaming expansion.
How to Set Up a Wisconsin Online Gambling Account
If Wisconsin was to offer online gambling of any kind, you would be happy to know that creating an account is a very simple process. Online casinos and online sportsbooks have streamlined this process over the last few years. However, you will have to provide some personal information.
You will begin by accessing the online site and providing them with your name, date of birth, and physical address. You do not have to live in the state of Wisconsin to create an account, but you would have to be physically in the state to gamble online.
Most online gambling sites will ask for your social security number, or at least the last four digits. This is simply to verify your identity, and all of the information that you provide will be safe and secure.
After your identity is verified, you will then be asked to create a username and password. It is important that you choose something that is unique to you but also choose something that you will remember.
You will use this information to log in to the site each time, and you want to make sure that no one else has this information. Some sites will allow you to choose a two-step verification process, and this will add some additional security to your account.
The entire registration process at an online gambling site can be done in a matter of minutes, allowing you to begin gambling.
Wisconsin Banking Methods
Banking at online gambling sites in the US has vastly improved in recent years, and you will see the same thing in Wisconsin if these sites are able to launch. Using a credit/debit card to make a deposit is still an option, but it is no longer the most popular banking method.
PayPal and Neteller have emerged as popular banking methods at online gambling sites, and it is likely that these will be options in Wisconsin as well. These are two very secure third-party sites but will allow you to send money back and forth quickly and easily.
All of the banking transactions at online gambling sites will be safe and secure, and you won’t have to worry about your money being lost or stolen. These sites will also be regulated by the state of Wisconsin, giving you an extra layer of protection.
The Future of Online Gambling in Wisconsin
With such restrictive laws prohibiting gambling expansion in Wisconsin, it is hard to imagine lawmakers ever getting something passed. There is some hope for Wisconsin, though, as other states have faced a similar issue and been able to get something done.
Wisconsin is now surrounded by states that either have new forms of gambling in place or are looking to make some changes. This will put some extreme pressure on the state and could give lawmakers the push they need to get a bill passed.
