Can You Play Online Poker in Wisconsin?
No, you cannot play online poker legally in Wisconsin. The state’s law prohibits gambling over the Internet, and home games are also not permitted. Wisconsin does have a few poker bars, and players are allowed to participate in live games in these poker rooms.
Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in Wisconsin?
Playing poker is legal in Wisconsin as long as it is done in any of the state’s 11 tribal casinos with poker rooms. Organizing or participating in poker anywhere else apart from these locations is considered illegal according to the state’s laws.
Wisconsin law does not permit playing any “game of chance” over the internet. Currently, the only exception to this rule in the state is parimutuel betting. Considering the stance of the law on Wisconsin online poker, state-regulated online poker is still a long way off in the state.
As a workaround to this problem, poker enthusiasts in Wisconsin turn to offshore sites that allow them to play poker online for real money. Sites like Ignition, Bovada, and ACR Poker welcome players from Wisconsin and other parts of the country to play online poker for real money. However, doing so carries inherent risks.
Although players are unlikely to get into legal trouble for playing poker on these sites, MyPokerCoaching does not recommend playing on offshore sites. Offshore sites are unregulated locally, which means they’re immune from local laws and not governed by the same standards as state-sanctioned operators. As a result, players have no guarantees of playing a fair game on these sites. There’s also a real risk of losing your money, as many of these sites often get shut down unexpectedly, with no legal recourse for players.
Potential Winsconsin Poker Sites to Launch in the Future
Poker has been popular in Wisconsin for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.
It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in WI will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.
When online poker is finally legal in WI, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.
BetMGM Poker Wisconsin
BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.
We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.
In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.
It is also likely that BetMGM Poker WI will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.
PokerStars Wisconsin
Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.
Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.
But even without that particular element, WI is a big enough market on its own.
What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think Wisconsin would be an exception.
PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.
WSOP Wisconsin
The third WI poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.
WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.
A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.
WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.