Casinos in Wisconsin
Although Wisconsin isn’t typically viewed as prime territory for bettors, its gambling industry actually has plenty to offer. Thanks to the Indian Gambling Regulatory Act of 1988, tribes were able to enter into an agreement with the state. Currently, there are 19 casinos where Wisconsin residents can walk in and place a bet on the games available.
The locations where bettors can find these casinos include Danbury, Green Bay, Black River Falls, Milwaukee, Webster, Hayward, Nekoosa, and Bowler. At many Wisconsin casinos, players will find exciting games, such as video poker, slots, craps, roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. In fact, eight out of the 19 casinos offer live poker.
Several other forms of gaming are available for Wisconsin residents. Horse and dog racing are both legal, but as there are currently no active tracks, the only way to wager on them is over the internet. The state lottery promotes and sells tickets, and nonprofit organizations are allowed to organize bingo games and sell raffle tickets, too.
Casinos in Wisconsin have been subject to varying regulations, so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide bettors with the facts. Read on to learn more.
Different types of casinos in Wisconsin
Although Wisconsin does not offer any commercial casinos, it does house 24 tribal casinos. The 11 federally recognized Native American tribes own and run the casinos under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Ho-Chunk Nation owns six out of the 24 available casinos, and the Patowatomi Carter Casino hotel happens to be the largest in the state.
History of casinos in Wisconsin
Legalized gambling began in Wisconsin with a state-sponsored lottery in 1987. Soon after that, the federal court gave Native American Tribes the approval to negotiate gambling contracts, approving a good number of gaming activities on reservations and federal trust lands.
Currently, no Wisconsinite is more than a two-hour drive to the nearest casino. In recent times, Wisconsin Tribes have also sought permission to build off-reservation casinos in Shullsburg, Sheboygan, Beloit, and Kenosha. The state has even upped its lottery advertising allowance to $8.5 million yearly.
List of Wisconsin casinos
Imagine a getaway featuring lights, betting and top-rated entertainment. Las Vegas may lie almost 1,800 miles away from Milwaukee, but Wisconsin’s gambling houses offer a taste of the excitement with blackjack, slots and bingo. A list of available Wisconsin tribal casinos is below:
- Bad River 73370 US-2, Ashland, 54806
- Grindstone Creek 13394 W Trepania Rd, Hayward, 54843
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls W9010 WI-54, Black River Falls, 54615
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, 4002 Evan Acres Rd, Madison, WI 53718, United States
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa 949 County Rd G, Nekoosa, 54457
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Tomah 27867 WI-21, Tomah, 54660
- Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg N7198 U.S. 45, Wittenberg, 54499
- Lake of the Torches 510 Old Abe Rd, Lac Du Flambeau, 54538
- Legendary Waters 37600 Onigaming Dr, Bayfield, 54814
- Menominee N2277 WI-47, Keshena, 54135
- Mole Lake 3084 WI-55, Crandon, 54520
- North Star W12180 Co Rd A, Bowler, 54416
- Oneida Pulaski 5939 Old Wisconsin 29, Pulaski, 54162
- Oneida Casino IMAC 2100 Airport, Green Bay, 54313
- Oneida Casino W Mansion 2522 W Mason St, Green Bay, 54303
- Oneida One-Stop 3120 South Packerland Drive, Green Bay, 54313
- Potawatomi Carter 618 WI-32, Wabeno, 54566
- Croix Danbury 30222 WI-35, Danbury, 54830
- Croix Hertel 4348 WI-70, Webster, 54893
Opened in 1992, Ho-Chunk Gaming Baraboo is a Native American hotel and casino located in Delton, Wisconsin. Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin owns and operates the casino. The gaming house provides a full-service casino that allows Wisconsin residents to enjoy 24 hours bingo, slots, blackjack, and many more.
At present, there are no legal casinos in the state. Wisconsin gambling regulations are similar to those in several US states and are slow to adjust to new technologies. However, legal casino alternatives like social casinos and sweepstakes are available. Wisconsin’s residents can wager on online social casino games in the state at LuckyLand Slots and Chumba Casino. Players who top sweepstakes sites will love Funzpoints. This is a United States-based social casino that makes wagering on online casino games accessible and exciting to a large audience.
Horse and dog racing aren’t the only legal betting activities available within the state’s borders. Bonafide contests of skill, such as snowmobile racing are also allowed, as well as raffles, bingo, and other charitable games. Gambling was made legal on reservations in 1988. However, the first legal type of gambling in the state was the lottery, which was legalized in 1989. Below is a brief history of the Wisconsin gambling laws:
In Wisconsin, gambling winnings are fully taxable and must be reported on bettors’ income tax returns. Players may redeem credit on their Wisconsin income tax return for any tax withheld from their gambling winnings. They must also report their gambling winnings, even if the state income taxes are not withheld. Winnings in this state are generally subject to a flat 24% tax.