The Wisconsin Sports Betting Formats Seems More Restrictive Than Ever

When Wisconsin sports betting operations launched back in 2021, it was considered a landmark moment, both for The Badger State and the USA at large. Fast forward to now, nearly four years later, and many are wondering if the lack of change and expansion is leaving the state behind. 

To be sure, there is no indication that sports betting in Wisconsin has become some kind of failure. Financially speaking, it is most likely generating a ton of money. We can’t know for sure, because tribal casinos don’t report revenue data like private and public sportsbooks. But casino revenue in Wisconsin overall has reported annual increases. Though it is tough to separate the impact of sports betting specifically from other gaming, the bump suggests that it has been a draw for residents of The Badger State.

Still, the Wisconsin sports betting format currently in effect does seem increasingly outmoded. The role of sports betting in the United States has changed a great deal over the years. More states are offering it, and the lion’s share of them have launched on a larger scale than that of The Badger State. The contrast is especially stark when looking at some of Wisconsin’s most direct neighbors, including Illinois, Iowa and Michigan sports betting markets. 

Wisconsin Sports Betting Continues to Favor In-Person Only Wagering

Sports betting in Wisconsin remains a tribal-nation-only business. Gaming laws are set up this way to for the nature of previous tribal gaming compacts, but also to maximize the amount of revenue staying in the state. 

Of the 11 federally recognized tribes in the state, a handful of them have amended their gaming compacts to grant them the ability to run sportsbooks. However, Wisconsin bettors must still visit a physical location to place their wagers. 

Granted, a couple of tribal nations have come out with their own sports betting app. But they are usable only when located on tribal property. So while this might streamline the process of waiting to submit tickets, it does not allow Wisconsinites to bet on sports from anywhere in the state.

This didn’t seem as restricted almost four years ago. Indeed, fewer than half of the United States had legal sports betting at that time. The Wisconsin sports betting market was actually ahead of the curve—novel compared to many other states.

That perception has changed. More than half of the United States now not only offers legal sports betting, but online sports betting. In fact, some states see more than 95 percent of their sports betting volume processed through a mobile site or app.

All the while, Wisconsin has sustained their initial format. New sportsbooks have opened at certain casinos. Officials have also discussed the prospect of expanding Wisconsin sports betting. Those talks, though, haven’t gone anywhere. And it has left the market looking out of place relative to the rest of the industry—especially when it comes to Wisconsin’s neighbors.

Wisconsin’s Neighbors Offer More Accessible Forms of Sports Betting

The staff at the Racine Journal Eye recently broke down the key differences between sports betting in Wisconsin and their closest neighbors. Here is what they have to say about Illinois, Michigan and Iowa:

“Unlike Wisconsin, Illinois offers a statewide, fully regulated sports betting environment. Residents and visitors in the state can place bets both in person and online through several different platforms. In the beginning, the state first required in-person registration for online s. However, this requirement was lifted back in 2022. 

“Iowa offers both in-person and online betting options through a variety of licensed operators. This includes mobile wagering. Michigan is currently one of the top states in the US for sports betting. It legalized both in-person and online sports betting back in 2021. One thing that makes Michigan so unique is its inclusive approach that involves both commercial and tribal operators. Michiganders have a wide range of options when it comes to sports betting. The Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees the regulatory framework and ensures consistent standards across all betting platforms.”  

Of the three states analyzed, the Michigan sports betting market profiles as the best example how Wisconsin sports betting can balance the tribal and corporate sides of the industry. 

For so long, policymakers have expressed concern about how letting top online sportsbooks in the United States would impact tribal casino revenues. And make no mistake, this is a real issue. But Michigan is proof that if you require partnerships, both tribes and corporations stand to benefit.

Safety Concerns May Loom as the Biggest Obstacle to Sports Betting Expansion in Wisconsin

Of course, Wisconsin officials know all of this. They are also likely well aware of the Florida sports betting format. The Seminole Tribe currently has exclusivity of sports betting. And while their gaming compact stipulates wagers can only be placed on tribal grounds, their Hard Rock sports betting app can still be accessed and used across the entire state.

This is often pointed to as a model for Wisconsin sports betting if they don’t want to actually expand the number of in-state operators. The Seminoles have (so far) successfully argued that their Florida sports betting app is an extension of tribal property, because the servers operating it are located on tribal grounds. This opens the door for Wisconsin tribes to argue the same.

Yet, they haven’t. That speaks volumes. Combined with comments from officials about the problem universal access to sports betting causes, it seems as if Wisconsin considers online sports betting a safety issue more than anything else. That is a fair stance to take. It is also one shared by another neighbor. Minnesota has struggled to get sports betting legislation off the ground in part because of disagreements over how widespread it should be offered.

Perhaps this changes in time for Wisconsin. Or maybe they find a way to increase safety and regulation while expanding sports betting’s reach. At any rate, despite the interest in expansion, it doesn’t seem like Wisconsin online sports betting is in the offing any time soon.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: