Gambling in Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin, also known as the Beaver State, has much to tempt casino players. It presents an abundance of casinos to visit for those who like to place the odd wager. Wisconsin is home to 22 legal casinos, all of which are housed on beautiful Native American reservations. Let’s take a deeper look at gambling in this state.

History of gambling in Wisconsin

In 1989, the state of Wisconsin Legislature legalized the lottery and approved dog racing. As a result, doors opened for other forms of gambling. Up to that point, the state’s Native American Tribes had been operating bingo parlour and, to expand their businesses, they applied to move into casino gaming. In 1988, Congress eventually passed the Indian Gambling Regulatory Act, and gambling began to flourish immediately. Currently, eleven federally recognized Indian tribes run the twenty-two land-based casinos throughout Wisconsin.

Is gambling legal in Wisconsin?

With stringent gambling laws, Wisconsin is a highly regulated and monitored industry. Although the main legal forms of gambling are the state-sponsored lottery, pari-mutuel on-track betting, raffles, track betting, bingo, and tribal casinos, Wisconsin laws allow riverboat casinos. Horse racing is also legal, however, there are no tracks in the state.

Popular gambling games in Wisconsin

As in several states, the lottery is very popular in Wisconsin. However, land-based casinos in Wisconsin also offer players an impressive choice of classic games as well as high-stake bingo halls with progressive jackpots. Indeed, players can uncover classic slot games and table games such as poker and blackjack.

Is online gambling legal in Wisconsin?

This is somewhat of a grey area, and it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to engage in it. However, although online gambling is not legal in Wisconsin, players can gamble on offshore gambling sites without any state interference.

Pari-mutuel wagering, which refers to horse and dog racing, is legal and some sites provide this kind of wagering to Wisconsinites. Alternatively, social casinos allow you to play online legally. Sites like these give players access to free-to-play games, so they do not have to risk their own money.

Wisconsin gambling laws

The history of gambling laws in Wisconsin dates back to the 1960s. The first laws passed in 1965 legalized sweepstakes. In 1973 and ’77, the state legalized charitable bingo and raffles, respectively. However, Wisconsin had to wait for another ten years before the lottery and pari-mutuel wagering were both legalized in 1987. The Native American tribes of Wisconsin eventually got what they had been campaigning for in 1991, when they were granted permission to open land-based casinos on their tribal reservations.

In September 2021, International Game Technology signed an agreement to power sports betting at Oneida Casino. The casino will leverage IGT’s turnkey platform, PlaySports, as the solution for retail and mobile sports betting. This is the first time the state has approved a sports betting program in a casino.

Benefits of gambling in Wisconsin

The land-based casinos offer an excellent choice of venues, providing a comprehensive range of slot games, table games, and large bingo halls. Thanks to strict laws regarding betting in this state, all players can rest assured that all tribal casinos are 100% legitimate.

Gambling at a legal Wisconsin casino is safe thanks to the casino’s licence and secure safety software. Correct monitoring and regulating of the casinos means that you can be sure that you will be gambling in a safe environment, and that your money and data will not fall into the wrong hands.

Cons of gambling in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, betting in Wisconsin has a few difficulties. At present, no precise regulation of the online gambling market has been passed, thus there are no online gambling sites in the state. Therefore, players often turn to using offshore sites, which can turn out to be very costly if their casino of choice is not properly regulated or licensed.

Another disadvantage is that players need to travel to in-person casinos, as gambling is not allowed anywhere else. Although this might be a little inconvenient, the casinos are never more than a two-hour drive away from any point in the state.

Always gamble responsibly

The state takes responsible gambling Wisconsin seriously. They recognize that although most players gamble in moderation, others can sometimes become dependent, which can lead to serious personal and economic problems. In 1993, the non-profit Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling was established with the aim of educating people about the issues surrounding problem gambling. The Wisconsin Department of Health also provides treatment and helplines for gambling issues.

Summary of gambling in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has enough gambling options to satisfy the keen gambler. Bingo halls are found all over the state, with some offering very high stakes and progressive jackpots to tempt players.

The 22 land-based casinos provide a comprehensive selection of slot games, table games, and bingo. Games are constantly updated to give players access to the latest games. Needless to say, all the classics are available too. So, whether you are looking for the comfort of playing your favourite game or the excitement of something completely new, these casinos will have something for everyone.