Wisconsin isn’t the friendliest state toward gambling but it isn’t the most hostile. The good news for Wisconsinites is that they can still legally play their favorite online casino games using sweepstakes casinos and virtual currency rather than real money. Our experts have created this guide to help you navigate Wisconsin’s sweepstakes casino scene. You will learn how these casinos work, how to win real money, and Wisconsin’s legal landscape.
While real-money online casinos are not yet legal in Wisconsin, Badger State players can still play at social and sweepstakes casinos, like our top-rated sites below:
Wisconsin casinos offer any casino game you can think of. This includes slots, video poker, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and live dealer games. Some social casinos even offer sports betting, horse racing, and poker.
If you go to a land-based casino like Oneida Casino or Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, you will find 2,000 to 3,000 slot machines plus dozens of table games. If you visit some of our top Wisconsin online casinos, you will find 4,000+ slots and hundreds of table games.
Sweepstakes casinos offer the same games and features and the same leading software providers as the best online casinos. This includes slots, table games, scratchcards, and live dealer games. Let’s look at some of the most popular games available at Wisconsin sweepstakes casinos.
RTP is an acronym for Return to Player. For example, the Big Bass Splash slot has an RTP of 96.71%. What does this mean? Well, over thousands or even millions of spins, you can reasonably expect a return of $96.71 for every $100 wagered. Always remember that this is just an average and has no guarantee. Nevertheless, these RTPs are accurate as accredited software testers like iTech Labs, GLI, and eCOGRA have thoroughly tested the games.
We have the information below for a quick snapshot of Wisconsin online gambling.
Traditional online casino gaming is not legal in Wisconsin. To the dismay of proponents of legal online casinos, it doesn’t appear that Wisconsin online casinos will be a reality soon. While several proposals for legalizing online casinos have been submitted, none have come close to advancing through the state legislature. Instead, many recently proposed bills have focused on the expansion of land-based gambling, not online gambling.
Because of 1988’s Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Wisconsin tribes are legally permitted to operate land-based casinos. Some of these venues are full-blown Vegas-style casinos and resorts with a range of slots and table games. Others are small establishments that can be best described as slot halls. You must be at least 21 years old to enter both cases. Those in Wisconsin only need to be 18 to play at sweepstakes casinos.
It’s hard to tell if and when lawmakers will legalize online casinos in the Badger State. Many proposals have been forwarded, but they have all fallen well short of succeeding. It seems like there is little appetite to legalize online casinos in Wisconsin.
Your Wisconsin online casino adventure starts with choosing one of the sweepstakes casinos highlighted on this page. Rest assured that our experts have closely examined and approved these sites. As such, you can count on these social casinos to treat you fairly, keep you safe, and provide you with all the casino excitement you can ask for. To get started, follow these steps:
Be reminded that you never have to spend any money to play online casino games at Wisconsin sweepstakes casinos. However, you may purchase coins to give yourself an edge. You can choose from various payment methods to buy coin packages and redeem your SC.
Be aware that some payment options for purchasing coin packages are unavailable for redeeming SC. Also, different Wisconsin online casinos support other payment methods. Most Wisconsin sites support bank transfers and gift cards. A lot of them also support e-wallets and bank cards. Here are some standard options:
If you want to play at a Wisconsin online casino, you must be at least 18 years old. You must also physically be within Wisconsin borders. As Wisconsin casinos are required to verify your location, you need to allow the casino to detect the location of your mobile device.
The casino will also ask you to verify your age, identity, and residence before redeeming prizes. It typically takes a few days for the casino to verify you. You can still purchase coins and play casino games while you wait.
Wisconsin social casinos require players to be at least 18 years old and located in Wisconsin. All players must provide documentation to prove their age, identity, and location to ensure compliance.
The Wisconsin Division of Gaming oversees and regulates casino gambling in Wisconsin. Its goal is to ensure fair play, player protection, and adherence to various related rules and regulations.
As sweepstakes casinos don’t use real money, these sites are not legally recognized as online gambling sites. However, sweepstakes casinos must still abide by various state and federal laws. You can be sure that any Wisconsin online casino mentioned on this page abides by all state and federal laws.
We will now have a quick look at the evolution of gambling in Wisconsin:
Sweepstakes gaming legalized.
Wisconsin legalizes charitable bingo.
Wisconsin introduced the state lottery and legalized pari-mutuel betting.
11 Wisconsin tribes are given the green light to operate land-based casinos.
Wisconsin tribes were allowed to operate casinos 24 hours a day and to expand the type of game they could offer.
Lawmakers officially legalize Daily Fantasy Sports.
Tribal casinos are legally permitted to operate on-site bookmakers.
Online casinos and online sports betting remain illegal.
When we discuss legal online casinos in the United States, we are talking about sites licensed and regulated by the state’s gambling authority. When referring to offshore sites, we refer to online casinos licensed in American-friendly jurisdictions like Curacao and Panama.
The difference boils down to player protection. Playing at an online casino with a local license gives you more avenues for recourse than at an offshore site. Also, American regulators tend to be much stricter.
Suppose a Panama-based casino refuses to pay you your rightful winnings. You can do very little since American regulators have no jurisdiction there. Conversely, if you get stiffed by a local casino, the local regulator can force the casino to pay you. Furthermore, the local regulator can fine the operator, suspend its license, and even revoke it.
If you happen to be in Wisconsin and you’re looking for some land-based casino action, you can choose from any of the following tribal casinos.
Oneida Casino at the Irene Moore Activity Center opened in 1993. The casino features 3,000 slots, 60+ table games, dining, retail outlets, and a modern sportsbook. While there is no on-site hotel, plenty of hotels are nearby.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino opened in 1991 and is currently the largest Wisconsin casino in terms of its games. It offers over 3,000 slots and 100+ table games. The casino also features a modern sportsbook, plenty of dining options, entertainment, and many other amenities, including a 500-room on-site hotel.
Oneida Casino Main Airport was built in 1993 for $36 million. In 2013, the complex underwent a major renovation. The casino offers 2,800 slots but just eight gaming tables. The venue also boasts a poker room, a revamped auditorium, dining options, a bingo hall, and a sportsbook. The casino is conveniently located near the airport and features an on-site hotel.
No. Despite the many proposed online casino bills over the past several years, online casinos have not been legalized in the Badger State. However, Wisconsin online casino buffs can choose from several top-tier sweepstakes casinos.
Yes. As sweepstakes casinos are subject to different laws than online casinos, Wisconsinites can legally play and win real cash prizes at Wisconsin sweepstakes casinos. These sweepstakes casinos abide by all state and federal laws related to sweepstakes casinos.
The best legal online casinos in Wisconsin are highlighted on this page. Our experts have vetted and approved each of these casinos. As such, you can trust that they will treat you fairly and pay you quickly.
Social casinos in Wisconsin are 100% safe, provided you choose one that our experts have approved. These sites offer fair games from the best software providers, including Pragmatic Play, Play’n Go, and NetEnt.
Wisconsin social casinos don’t offer traditional casino bonuses like deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, or free spins offers. Instead, they offer a variety of coin packages that you can often purchase at reduced prices. They also usually feature loyalty rewards and perks like cashback.