Yes. Sports betting is legal in Wisconsin, but only through agreements between the state and individual tribal nations.
Retail sportsbooks are available at several tribal casinos across the state.
Online sports betting is only permitted on tribal land using apps tied to those locations.
There is no statewide online or mobile sports betting law in place.
Key facts of Wisconsin betting
How do I gamble in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s gambling rules are shaped by tribal-state compacts, which allow legal sports betting only at approved tribal casino locations.
There is no law allowing statewide online gambling, but certain tribes offer restricted online access on their land.
In addition to in-person sportsbooks, residents have access to DFS apps, social sportsbooks, and horse race betting online.
Social sportsbooks in Wisconsin
Social sportsbooks like Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillz are legal in Wisconsin and operate using virtual currency or sweepstakes models.
These platforms offer real sports-style picks with redeemable prizes instead of cash betting.
They are fully accessible from anywhere in the state and are a popular legal alternative to traditional sportsbooks.
Other legal gambling options
Daily fantasy sports apps such as DraftKings, Underdog, and Sleeper operate legally in Wisconsin, despite the absence of formal regulation.
Online horse race betting is permitted and available through platforms licensed in other states.
Tribal casinos offer full gambling services, including slots, table games, poker, and bingo.
The Wisconsin Lottery, charitable raffles, and bingo are also legally sanctioned.
To place sports bets at tribal casinos in Wisconsin, you must be 21 years old or older.
This age limit applies to retail sportsbook wagering and online sports apps on tribal land.
For daily fantasy sports, horse race betting, the state lottery, and charitable gaming, the minimum age is 18, depending on the activity.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes. You can legally place sports bets in other states but only while physically present there and in compliance with their laws.
Using out-of-state sportsbooks from within Wisconsin would be considered illegal.
Neighboring states with legal sports betting:
Illinois and Michigan offer statewide mobile and retail sportsbooks. Wisconsin residents can use apps like DraftKings and FanDuel once physically located in those states.
Iowa provides full mobile and retail betting access as well. Long-distance wagers from Wisconsin through these platforms would risk geolocation blocks and violate state laws.
Traveling to one of these nearby jurisdictions allows Wisconsin residents to legally place sports wagers outside tribal lands.
However, any in-state online betting inside Wisconsin borders is not permitted.
Betting sites to avoid
Some Wisconsin residents may turn to offshore betting sites because statewide online sportsbooks aren’t available.
These platforms operate outside of US regulations and lack consumer protections.
Users risk identity theft, payout issues, and no legal recourse if something goes wrong.
⚠️ Stay away from these offshore sportsbooks; they are not safe or legal for Wisconsin players. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Wisconsin
Pros
- ✅ Legal retail sportsbooks now available at tribal casinos
- ✅ DFS and social sportsbooks offer legal alternatives
Cons
- ❌ No statewide mobile or online sports betting allowed
- ❌ Must travel to tribal land for all legal wagers
Latest Wisconsin sports betting updates
The future of WI sports betting
Wisconsin’s sports betting framework relies on tribal-state compacts, and future growth will likely follow this path.
With current compacts in place for four tribes, and others possibly joining, expansion will depend on additional agreements rather than statewide legislation.
Compact amendments made in 2021 and 2024 established legal sports wagering, but commercial sportsbooks and universal state apps remain off the table.
The constitutional rule requiring voter approval for new gambling forms adds an extra barrier.
Political appetite for full statewide mobile sports betting has been minimal, though some tribes have explored online app offerings tied to their properties.
Tribal sovereignty and revenue streams heavily shape any future change.
Tribes value exclusivity and may block proposals that threaten their arrangements.
Our expert view: more tribal sportsbooks and restricted online access at tribal locations are likely next, but statewide mobile platforms aren’t expected in the near term.
Other types of legal betting in Wisconsin
While sports betting isn’t legal statewide in Wisconsin, a few other types of gambling are allowed and accessible to residents.
Horse racing
Wisconsin does not have any live horse racing venues.
While harness races may appear at fairs, there are no licensed pari-mutuel facilities in operation.
Two off-track betting locations exist but are currently inactive.
Online horse race betting is legal, and Wisconsin residents can use sites licensed in other states to wager on races around the country.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports operate in a legal gray area in Wisconsin.
There’s no state law specifically permitting or prohibiting DFS, but major platforms like DraftKings, Underdog, and Sleeper accept players.
These apps offer real-money contests built around player stats, drafts, and pick’em formats.
DFS remains one of the most popular legal alternatives to traditional sports betting sites.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel wagering is legal in theory but not active in practice.
Without a functioning racetrack or open OTB facility, residents currently have no in-state location to place such wagers.
Online platforms licensed elsewhere are the only accessible option.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Charitable gambling is legal in Wisconsin for nonprofits and qualifying organizations.
These groups can hold raffles, bingo nights, and similar games under strict regulations.
Licensing is required and prize limits may apply.
Some tribal casinos also offer high-stakes bingo events.
Yes, social sportsbooks are fully legal and available statewide in Wisconsin.
These apps use virtual coins or sweepstakes entries to make picks and redeem prizes.
Because they do not require real-money deposits, they are not classified as gambling under state law.
Platforms like Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillz are among the most widely used options.
Anyone in the state can sign up and play legally without restrictions.
How to start betting in Wisconsin
Some sources may claim you can wager online statewide, but that’s not true, we focus only on legal methods to gamble in Wisconsin, which may not involve sports at all.
Social sportsbooks
Social sportsbooks like Fliff, Rebet, and Thrillz are fully legal and accessible in Wisconsin.
They use virtual coins or sweepstakes entries, allowing players to make picks and win redeemable prizes without depositing real money.
These apps operate within state law and require no cash wagering.
They are available on both mobile and desktop platforms, with regular promos and social features.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports platforms such as DraftKings, Underdog, and Sleeper operate legally in Wisconsin, even without explicit state legislation.
Users can participate in pick’em contests, drafts, and real-money competitions based on player performances.
These apps have been accessible for years and remain some of the most popular legal gaming options.
However, since DFS isn’t regulated by state law, users should be aware of platform rules and responsible gambling tools.
Online horse race betting
Online horse race betting is legal in Wisconsin via platforms licensed in other states.
Residents aged 18 and over can open accounts with services like TVG and TwinSpires to wager on races nationwide.
While there are no operational in-person tracks, online betting provides full access to horse racing markets.
These platforms offer pari‑mutuel wagering under federal and interstate agreements.
Tribal casino sports betting
Retail sports betting is available at tribal casinos in Wisconsin such as Oneida, Forest County Potawatomi, Potawatomi Milwaukee, St. Croix Hertel, St. Croix Turtle Lake, and Lac du Flambeau (pending launch).
You must be physically present on tribal land and at least 21 years old.
Some casinos also offer sportsbook apps that work only on tribal properties.
Visit their in-person sportsbook lounges or kiosks to place wagers like moneyline, props, parlays, and live bets.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
Wisconsin residents seeking online or mobile sportsbook experiences can travel to nearby states with fully regulated markets.
Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa all offer statewide mobile and retail betting platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel.
You must be physically in that state to use the app legally.
This option provides convenience and variety without violating Wisconsin gambling laws.
Wisconsin social sportsbooks
Social sportsbooks are legal and widely used across Wisconsin, offering a safe alternative to real-money wagering.
Fliff

Fliff offers sweepstakes-style sports picks where users play with virtual currency and earn prizes.
No real-money deposit is required, making it legal and accessible statewide.
It covers major leagues like NFL, NBA, and MLB, with frequent bonus promotions and leaderboards.
The platform is available via mobile and browser, with easy entry and redemption.
Top features
No cash deposit required
Daily free virtual currency giveaways
Redeemable prizes through sweepstakes
Covers all major sports leagues
Live leaderboards and prizes
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Fully legal and no real-money risk
- ✅ Frequent promos and sweepstakes events
Cons
- ❌ Prizes take time to redeem
- ❌ Limited to virtual currency play
Rebet

Rebet provides a live and pre-game picks experience using virtual tokens.
Players earn rewards based on performance and engage in weekly leaderboards.
No cash deposit is needed, and the model is entirely compliant with state law.
The app includes live game tracking and social features.
Top features
Pre-game and live pick formats
Engagement-based reward system
Real-time game tracking
Fully virtual currency-based
Mobile-friendly platform
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Legal and no deposit required
- ✅ Live tracking enhances gameplay
Cons
- ❌ Rewards may not include cash
- ❌ Limited pick customization
Thrillz

Thrillz combines sweepstakes gameplay with easy-to-follow sports picks.
Users receive virtual coins upon signing up and for daily logins.
The platform offers both casual and competitive gameplay with leaderboards.
Thrillz is mobile-first and optimized for community interaction.
Top features
Virtual coin system with bonus incentives
Leaderboards for competitive play
Mobile-first design
Casual-friendly interface
Daily login bonuses
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ User-friendly and social gameplay
- ✅ No real-money needed
Cons
- ❌ Smaller prize pools than some rivals
- ❌ Limited advanced stats or analytics
Types of bets in Wisconsin
While statewide online sportsbooks are unavailable, tribal casino betting supports a full array of wager types.
Here's what you’ll find on-site:
Moneyline: You wager on which team will win the game outright. Odds reflect favorite and underdog status.
Point spread: You bet on the margin by which a team wins or loses. Favorites must win by more than the spread; underdogs win if they stay within it or win outright.
Over/under: Also called totals, this is a bet on whether the combined final score falls above or below a set number.
Futures: Place bets long before or during a season on outcomes like championship winners. These bets tend to offer higher payouts due to uncertainty.
Parlays: Combine multiple bets into a single ticket. All selections must win for a successful payout.
Prop bets: Wagers on specific events within a game, for example, touchdown counts or player performance milestones. These add excitement and variation.
Live betting: Bet in real time during the game with odds that change as the action progresses. Frequently available at tribal sportsbooks with mobile or kiosk options.
Frequently asked questions
How to bet responsibly in Wisconsin
Gambling can be an enjoyable form of entertainment, but it also carries risks.
Even with legal options limited to tribal casinos, social sportsbooks, DFS, and horse betting, unhealthy behavior can still develop.
Recognizing early warning signs and knowing where to seek help ensures the experience remains safe.
Wisconsin supports both state-specific and national resources for gambling help.
Wisconsin-specific resources
Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling – Call 800‑426‑2538 or visit wcpg.org
Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Behavioral Health Division
Tribal casino support networks – many offer counseling services and self‑exclusion programs
National help organizations
National Council on Problem Gambling – ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous – gamblersanonymous.org
GamTalk – gamtalk.org
Warning signs of problem gambling include
Needing larger bets to feel excitement or relief
Chasing losses by betting more after a loss
Hiding betting activity from close friends or family
Feeling anxious, restless, or irritable when unable to gamble
Wisconsin gaming facilities and legal platforms offer tools like self‑exclusion, deposit limits, and activity reminders.
If you’re concerned about your gambling, consider using these safeguards early and reaching out for help when needed.
Read our guide to responsible betting here.
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Our mission is to empower bettors with trustworthy information, backed by rigorous research and a commitment to responsible gambling.
You can trust us to provide clear, concise, and honest advice, helping you make informed betting decisions.
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References
Contributors
Josh Miller
Author
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.
Bradley Gibbs
Reviewed By
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.