Wisconsin Launches State’s First Online Betting Option

Author:

Edward Champion

Publish Date:

03/03/2022

Experiences:

Seasoned veteran in the world of gambling writing

The state of Wisconsin has some of the most restrictive rules of any state to have enacted some type of legal sports betting. Wagers on sporting events are only allowed in the Oneida Casino in Green Bay, but the casino has launched a new app that allows for some additional flexibility for bettors located on the casino’s premises.

Sports betting in Wisconsin still in the early stages

Just a few short months ago Wisconsin opened up the ability for the Oneida Casino in Green Bay to take legal wagers on sporting events. The casino introduced 20 sports betting kiosks on the casino property in November of 2021, but according to casino CEO Chad Fuss he has plans to open a “Las Vegas-style sports bet booking lounge” on casino property to cater to area sports bettors.

While plans for the lounge are in the works, right away sports bettors received an early addition to the casino’s offerings in the form of the Oneida Casino sportsbook app. The app will allow sports bettors to place wagers from their mobile device while they are physically located at one of the company’s ten Oneida-area gaming locations.

Online sports betting available, but still heavily restricted

In addition to being heavily restricted in terms of geography, the app also requires bettors to jump through some hoops before they can lay their money down. After downloading and installing the app, players must join the Oneida Players Club. Next, they must visit the Main-Airport location in person to activate their account. A photo ID is required to activate the account, and their initial deposit must be made in cash.

Once the account is activated and funded, bettors may place their wagers while physically located at any of the casino properties. Additional deposits and all withdrawals must be made at the Main Casino Sportsbook or cage cashier.

Once the app is in use, bettors will also find that they are unable to place some types of wagers. Bettors are free to put their money on professional sporting events, professional sports league drafts, the Olympic Games, and even nationally televised awards shows. However, they will not have the ability to place wagers on Wisconsin-based collegiate sports teams, a major disappointment for Badgers fans as the men’s basketball team looks primed for a deep run in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Most prop bets are also not available at this time, but bettors can expect to see more of those types of betting options available in the future as the US sportsbook becomes more established.

A step forward, but not perfect for Wisconsin sports bettors

While sports bettors in Wisconsin will no doubt be glad to have an additional option, this new online app does not satisfy the desire for a true online sports betting option like the ones currently available in many other states. While the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee is pursuing the ability to offer sports betting that would make the activity more accessible in terms of geography, the state has not made any headway towards full state-wide legalization of online sports betting.

For now, with the majority of Wisconsin residents residing closer to Illinois and Iowa than they do to the Oneida Casino in Green Bay, traveling to those states may be a more attractive option for sports bettors who desire the ability to conveniently wager online as well as have significantly increased options in terms of the types of wagers they may place.