Legal Sports Betting For Wisconsin Residents
Though the issue of legal Wisconsin sports betting is often confusing, there is still a large selection of legal sports betting sites accepting Wisconsin residents. These sites give residents of the state the ability to bet on the Milwaukee Brewers and other popular teams in the state. The action at online sports betting sites rivals that of the Vegas strip, and being that this is the only place with single-game sports wagering, online sportsbooks are even more of a necessity. When you consider the legality of sports betting in the state, however, it can get a bit murky. Though the legislature has not written laws saying it is specifically illegal, it could be inherently illegal under some of the laws that we will discuss further in our guide to betting on sports in WI.
The legal sports betting sites that we discuss on this page will accept members from Wisconsin. They are all free to sign up to and have proven to payout to their members, no matter what state they are betting from. Although, the choice is ultimately yours as to whether or not you want to use them. There are no land-based sportsbooks in the state and using a local bookie is most certainly not permitted under the Wisconsin gambling laws. This makes these sites seemingly the only viable option for sports bettors in Wisconsin, but again, we advise you to read the state laws carefully and always follow them as best as you can.
Wisconsin is one of the few states that actually has laws related to online gambling. As such, there are no laws that specifically mention sports betting but some of the language could be applied to online betting as a whole. WI 945.03 does mention that the use of wire communications to assist with bets is illegal, and this could be interpreted to include the internet. We will say that the wording does make it seem that only online betting operators are illegal in the state, but you can view the statute to form your own option.
Sports Betting Laws in Wisconsin
There are no laws in the Wisconsin state penal code related to sports betting. We can tell you that going to a live bookie for any type of betting is illegal, but with no sports betting laws and no clear internet laws, you should be in the clear. This is good news as it still leaves the door open to sports betting at offshore sportsbooks, being that there are no explicit laws prohibiting it.
Online sports wagering play is safe in Wisconsin. In America's Dairyland, there have never been any arrests for crimes related to online gambling or sports bets. Since the federal government is far more interested in cracking down on providers of illegal gambling, and not bettors themselves, Wisconsin residents don’t face any sort of prosecution for placing bets at online books. Wisconsin has no laws that would make online sports betting of any kind illegal.
Bovada is quite possibly the best site for online gambling, and we recommend them to our readers for a variety of reasons. First off, their deposits could not be easier. They offer their players a 100% to $250 deposit bonus, which can be used to bet on nearly any sport out there. Deposit methods include Bitcoin, VISA and wire transfers. With Bovada you will be able to bet on the NFL, the NBA, NCAA sports, MLB, NASCAR, the NHL and more. We have been playing through Bovada for many years, as they have 15 years of experience. Their live in game betting option is one of the most impressive, and it emulates a live betting experience in Vegas without actually visiting Vegas.
If either of the two previous sportsbooks are not to your liking, we can tell you that BetOnline is definitely a top choice for your dollar. They provide their players with nothing but sports bets, which is why they are one of our favorites. This is a great place for professional and amateur sports betting, and it is one of the main reasons we recommend them above others. BetOnline has a 50% match to $2,500, which is one of the best bonuses around. BetOnline provides their users with a significant amount of reload bonuses as well, offering these promotions to all players regardless of their bankroll. We decided on BetOnline for their impressive level of customer service, and this is something they would not sacrifice.
Home of many titles in different sports, Wisconsin the state needs Mybookie for all the fans here. The Green Bay Packers are always a team that players can bet on and have a good chance of winning because of the consistency of the team against other opponents. Obviously, there are some college teams here like the Wisconsin Badgers that pull off upsets as well so betting on the hometown teams here is a must. MyBookie has all its games as betting options plus bonuses as well. Sports fans here need to take the time out and see what MyBookie offers.
There are many sportsbooks for players to use but SportsBetting is one of those sportsbooks that stands above them all. The reason for this is because there are so many different features here for players for them to win a lot of money. The great thing that comes with SportsBetting is the fact that there is customer service that is great when players have any issues with their accounts. This makes placing bets more comfortable for players because they know if there are any issues on their account, it can be resolved quickly. There are a huge amount of bets here for players and this means more money can be made but having great customer service grabs a lot of players' attention.
There are three federal laws that impact sports betting in Wisconsin and we will break them down. The first law is the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which may be the most relevant law to you as a better. Passed in 1992, PASPA made sports betting illegal in the US by disallowing states to issue sports betting licenses. The only states that were excluded were those with existing laws, and those states were NV, DE, MT, and OR. However, this law was recently repealed in May of 2018. Wisconsin lawmakers now have the freedom to shape their sports betting regulations in any way they please, its just a matter of them actually passing a bill.
The Wire Act of 1961 is an old law but it still has the same effects. The act made it unlawful for those engaged in the business of sports gambling to use wire communication facilities to assist with placing bets, providing information related to sporting events, or promising payments related to sports wagers. Though the law only covered telegraphs and telephones, it has now been interpreted to include the internet. Though the law does not directly impact sports bettors, it has kept US-based sports betting sites out of the market.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) does not specifically focus on sports betting, but it does impact online gambling payments. The UIGEA is a banking measure that aims to discourage payment processors from working with unregulated gambling sites. Certain payment systems, such as credit cards, checks, and ACH, are all supposed to be monitored by US financial institutions to block gambling transactions. The UIGEA does not go after bettors and is only a provision that banks have to abide by.
The legal betting age in Wisconsin is 21 years old. This is the standard age across most of America, and you should always adhere to the law. You may find online sports betting sites that accept bettors at 18 or 19, but state requirements supersede minimums set by the online sportsbook.
Nowadays, just about every legal Wisconsin sports betting site offers a mobile betting platform. Mobile betting gives you more flexibility when placing your bets. The apps are easy to navigate and provide all of your essential account features. You can still bet on the Green Bay Packers, make a bitcoin deposit, or even request a speedy withdrawal. There is so much that you can do with a mobile sports betting app, and some sites will even reward you for doing so. BetOnline.ag has one of the best mobile sports betting apps in Wisconsin, awarding players with a $50 mobile free bet just for using the feature. It is good for any sport, and any straight or exotic wager. This includes moneyline, total, point spread, parlay, and teaser bets.
When you are ready to join a mobile sports betting app, there is no pesky download required. Simply visit the sports betting site from your smartphone or tablet to be redirected to the mobile betting platform. You can sign in with your existing account, or, if you are a new user you can create an account within minutes.
There are several banking methods that residents can choose from at legal Wisconsin sports betting sites. One of the most common methods is a Visa or MasterCard. Your deposit is processed instantly and there are typically no fees. If there are, it is no more than 7% of the amount deposited. The limits usually range from $50 to $5,000.
Bitcoin is our #1 recommended legal sportsbook deposit method. It is the most reliable way to bank whether making a deposit or a withdrawal. The transactions are fast and you can deposit as little as $20 or as much as $25,000 depending on the site. All you have to do is transfer your funds from your wallet to the bitcoin address provided by the online cashier. When it comes time to make a withdrawal, your money will reach you within 48 hours and there are never any additional fees.
Other options that work for both legal sportsbook deposits and withdrawals are checks, bank wire transfers (best for high roller sports bettors), and MoneyGram.
Generally, online sportsbooks will have tons of different wager types available. Some have more than others, especially if they’re more established and have been operating for a long time. The most common wager types you’ll see are parlay cards, moneylines, spreads, totals, adjusted lines, props, and futures. You might also find round robins, if-bets, Asian handicaps, and more. Some sportsbooks even have what is called live betting, as well.
Live In Game Sports Betting In West Virginia
Live betting is a method of betting on the game as it is in progress. Moneylines, spreads, and totals, as well as player and team props, can be made on the game while it is going. This puts you closer to the action and really gives you a chance to show off your sports betting skills.
How Do I Find a Sportsbook Online that Accepts Wisconsin Bets?
Any online book that takes US wagers will be happy to do business with customers from Wisconsin. It is not one of the states with extremely strict banking or sports betting laws.
Will the State of Wisconsin Ever Allow Traditional Sportsbook Action?
It is unlikely, since federal law doesn’t allow brick and mortar sportsbooks to exist outside of a select few parts of the country, none of which are in Wisconsin. This is just another reason why legal Wisconsin sports betting sites are the way to go.
What Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a popular digital currency that is becoming more widely accepted around the world. Using a bitcoin wallet to hold your bitcoins, you can send the currency to any of the online sportsbooks featured on the site. Using the wallet address provided by the sportsbook, you can send in coins to be applied to your sports betting account. Bitcoin is decentralized, making it the most reliable way to quickly send and receive sports betting funds. You never have to worry about your transaction getting declined, and you can easily convert the cryptocurrency to fiat currency using an exchange.
What Is Live Betting?
Live betting is an interactive and entertaining way to bet during your favorite sporting events. During each play of the game, the bookmaker will update live betting odds that you can wager on right on the spot. Some of your betting options include halftime and quarter lines, moneylines, props, totals, Asian handicaps, and more. You will need an excellent internet or Wi-Fi connection as the odds change frequently throughout the game.
What Else Can I Bet On At Online Sportsbooks?
Rather than just offering traditional sports, online sportsbooks also have a variety of political and entertainment betting odds. You will find presidential election betting odds on both Democratic and Republican candidates, along with Electoral College odds and VP betting odds. In the entertainment realm, you can bet on your favorite TV shows such as Survivor and other competitive reality shows.
Wisconsin is one of the best states for sports enthusiasts being that they have teams hailing from both professional and collegiate leagues. Legal Wisconsin sports betting sites recognize the fandom of those from the area, and therefore provide betting lines on all of your favorite teams. While online sportsbooks will offer a wide range of sports that cover football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and more, here are some of the most popular teams to bet on in Wisconsin:
College
- Wisconsin Badgers
Professional
- Green Bay Packers (NFL)
- Milwaukee Brewers (MLB)
- Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)