When not laying down cards at Bad River or Ho-Chunk, Wisconsin poker fans looking for action from the comfort of their own homes are in luck. There are many options out there for poker fans, and we have compiled a list of what we consider the best. Many rumors surround the legality of Wisconsin online poker rooms, and we will make clear exactly what you can and can't do. With the advent of online poker, the game has never been more popular. With less and less real-world options available in America, many players are turning to the web to get in on the action.

1. Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin Government
2. Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin
3. Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin Free
4. Online Poker For Money Wisconsin
5. Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin State

This article will help you decide which Wisconsin poker site is best for you. We will also make it clear which laws affect you, and how. There are more options out there than you might be aware of, so let's see what the exciting world of online poker has to offer.

Other Wisconsin Gambling Sites: Online Sportsbooks - Online Casinos

The legality of online poker in Wisconsin is filled with rumors and misconceptions. You might have heard that it is illegal to bet online, and other than a few select states, that is not the case. Legislature has deemed it illegal to own or operate online casinos in America. What this means is that you will not find a legal online betting establishment on your local street corner. The good news is that there are plenty of online poker rooms located overseas, in places where it is perfectly legal to set up shop. Millions of Americans are using these sites every day to get in on some good poker action for real money.

Wisconsin is the home State of World Series of Poker legend Phil Helmuth, who still appears in poker tournaments here. There are 10 poker rooms, mostly on the small side, who offer a range of tournament and cash game action from tribal lands in this State. Online poker is not considered legal under the existing legal codes. Wisconsin online poker is legal through sites that are licensed and regulated through offshore jurisdictions. The state does not permit online gambling through sites located within Wisconsin state borders at this time.

State laws differ on the legality of online poker. Wisconsin doesn't have any strict laws regarding betting online, so you are safe to sign up with any of these legally functioning sites. We have tested the best of the best, and come up with what we consider to be the safest online options for Wisconsin residents. It is totally within the letter of the law for you to play on these Wisconsin gambling sites, and these are some of the most secure online businesses in the world.

More Help: Gambling Laws In Wisconsin

1. Wisconsin is only slightly above average in regards to size, ranked the 20 th largest US state by landmass. It also has the 23 rd highest population of 5,757,564 (est. 2014), which is comparable to about 2/3 rd the population of New Jersey; the most populated state where online poker is regulated.
2. So, the chances of there being regulated online poker in Wisconsin is slim, to say the least. Playing on Offshore Poker Sites Online. Offshore poker sites are your only option. Just know they’re operating in Wisconsin illegally: 945.03 Commercial gambling.
3. There is no real grassroots online-poker effort in Wisconsin, so all the pressure must come from the Indian casinos who, as of late 2013, have yet to show their hands. Lawmakers in certain districts in Wisconsin represent some of the most conservative people in the country, so be certain any attempts at online poker legalization will face stiff.

Best Poker Sites For Wisconsin Players

We have scoured the web, and played on all of the premier poker sites, coming up with what we believe to be the best all-around experiences for Wisconsin players looking for safe and fun poker action. So read the reviews and then check out the sites for yourselves, and don't feel limited to picking just one! Many players choose to use numerous sites for their poker pleasure.

Bovada almost sounds like the name of a real casino, and it offers the closest virtual casino experience out there. You will sense the spectre of Lady Luck roaming around the site like a friendly ghost. You will feel when a table is hot, and might even want to make yourself a mixed drink and light up an expensive cigar, and since you are playing in the comfort of your own home, why not? Bovada is the go-to site for many professional poker players that you have seen on television. They also have gained numerous accolades from the likes of CNBC and FOX Sports. You will be in good hands at Bovada.lv.

There are always amazing championships and tournaments going on at Bovada that can give you the chance to strike it rich. This month there is The Black Diamond Poker Open in full effect, making lucky contestant eligible to receive a cut over $4 Million. The BDPO will offer over 200 events, thousands of qualifiers and a guaranteed prize pool of over $4 million, including an impressive $500,000 Main Event. You will have the chance to live extravagantly with a cut of this prize money, and there are always events like this going on. So sign up at Bovada today, and strike gold!

Fast becoming one of the premier online poker sites for Wisconsin residents, BetOnline is backed by U.S. media giants such as USA Today and CNBC. With a slick looking interface and a world-class sportsbook, this site is drawing all manner of bettors from around the world like fly's to…well, you get it. With a vibrant poker community, you will feel like part of a quickly growing club full of mature, professional players. Offering over 150 games in their virtual casino, you will never run out of fun ways to make money at BetOnline.ag. So Join now!

BetOnline's poker room is offering an amazing perk that will keep rewarding you every time you make a deposit. With the Lifetime Bonus Guarantee, you can maximize your bankroll whenever it's time for a reload. Use the promo code that is conveniently provided on the site when you make a qualifying deposit and a 25% bonus is yours. A minimum deposit of $50 qualifies you, and the maximum bonus for the deposit is $1,000. This extra padding to your bankroll will have you high-rolling it all the way to the bank.

SportsBetting is gaining in popularity by the day. Starting from humble beginnings over a decade ago, SportsBetting began with one of the best sportsbooks in the business, growing to encompass all of the poker world with slick poker rooms and a great virtual casino. Backed by the likes of ESPN and YAHOO! Sports, this site is only getting better and gaining more loyal members. Professionals and amateurs alike are now calling SportsBetting home for their poker whims. This is a diamond in the rough that you will be glad you found before the rest of the gaming world catches on.

Having a small, but dedicated, poker community has allowed SportsBetting's online poker room to offer out-of-this-world bonuses like the 200% First Deposit Bonus. No site welcomes new members with the grace and generosity of SportsBetting. Upon making a first deposit of $50 or more, you will be eligible to receive a 200% poker bonus, worth up to $1,000! Just email the site with the promo code that is graciously supplied on the promotions page, and the bonus is yours. This give you a great amount of extra cash to explore the site with without making a dent in you initial deposit. So go have some fun!

Q: Can I get a discount if I refer a friend?

A: The promotions and bonuses that these sites offer are always changing. It is a good idea to check out the promotions pages to see what is on offer. Right now, Bovada is offering a refer-a-friend bonus where they will match your friends deposit and add that amount to your bankroll. Offers like these come and go, so tell your friends to sign up now!

Q: Are there hidden fees for signing up?

A: There will never be any hidden fees when you sign up for professional sites like these. You are fully able to sign up and check out all the sites have to offer before depositing any money. Play at the free tables and check out the virtual casino before deciding with the site is right for you. Canceling is free as well.

Q: How do I make a deposit?

A: Upon signing up for the site, you can decide when you want to make an initial deposit. This will involve entering your credit/debit information, upon which you can purchase credits at the cashier. Making a deposit is instantaneous, getting you in on the action immediately.

Q: What games are available at these sites?

A: These sites will all feature the most popular famous variations on poker. From Texas Hold'em to 7-card hi/lo, you will get all the poker action you could want. There are also massive virtual casinos with hundreds of games, and world-class sportsbooks to keep you busy. You won't run out of options at any of these legal Wisconsin poker sites.

Q: I am under 18, can I sign up?

A: Unfortunately you have to be 18 or over to gamble online. There are plenty of free poker communities on the web that offer play for no money. I would suggest practicing on these sites and getting your game as good as it can be. Once you are 18, come on back and start playing for real stakes. These sites aren't going anywhere.

Wisconsin is only slightly above average in regards to size, ranked the 20^th largest US state by landmass. It also has the 23^rd highest population of 5,757,564 (est. 2014), which is comparable to about 2/3^rd the population of New Jersey; the most populated state where online poker is regulated. But of all the economic derivatives America’s Dairyland is known for – particularly its mass production of cheese and other dairy products – online poker is not one of them.

The only other states to favor legislation for the regulation and taxation of internet gambling are Delaware and Nevada. However, due to the often ambiguous terminology of state directives, just because something isn’t explicitly authorized by law doesn’t necessarily make it an illegal activity.

Our aim is to examine the legislative body of Wisconsin to determine whether or not online poker appears to be illegal in Wisconsin. We’ll attempt to accomplish that goal by studying the state’s current gambling industry and relative legal climate.

Land-based Gambling in Wisconsin

The first legalized form of gambling in Wisconsin was the ability to wager on promotional contests and sweepstakes in 1965, which evolved into the legalization of charitable bingo in 1973 and charitable raffles in 1977. Pari-mutuel betting on horse, dog and snowmobile races was permitted in 1987 along with the state lottery, which sold its first tickets in 1988

Tribes throughout the Badger State spent years fighting for their right to establish casinos on their respective reservations, even after the federal government passed the IGRA of 1988. They eventually won those rights based on the opinion of then-Attorney General Doyle, who in 1991 delivered the opinion that the term “lottery” encompassed all forms of gambling that contain the three elements of “prize, chance and consideration”. And as per the IGRA, any gambling legal in a state is legal for tribes to offer. Thus, if the state lottery was legal, just about all forms of gambling should be presentable by tribes.

Currently, tribal gambling facilities are the only legal, casino-style establishments in Wisconsin. There are 11 recognized tribes in the state operating 22 casinos, where bingo, slots, video poker, table games and live poker are legally acceptable forms of gambling.

Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin Government

Also worth noting, amidst the tribal gaming disputes, there was a push for legal gambling at up to four state-authorized (and taxable) “floating casinos”. The proposal also included the installment of video gaming machines at taverns. The casinos and tavern licenses would have generated much-needed tax dollars for the state, but the idea was quickly squashed.

Deciphering the Laws of Wisconsin as they relate to Online Poker

The following is a collection of legislative rules that could relate the act of playing online poker for real money. The text below is taken directly from the Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 945, Gambling.

Is Online Poker Illegal in Wisconsin?

Yes. According to the statutes quoted above, online poker does seem to be illegal in Wisconsin, and punishable by law. The only legal forms of gambling are state-authorized Indian Gaming, pari-mutuel betting and licensed games of bingo or raffles held for charitable purposes. Although the original inclusion of “wire communications facility” found in the definitions of gambling was certainly intended to prohibit sports/contest betting by telephone, telegraph, etc., it would easily apply to today’s modern internet technology.

Is Wisconsin working to Legalize Online Poker?

Probably not. There hasn’t been a single piece of legislation or documented debate among state officials referencing the regulation of online poker in Wisconsin. However, there is a glimmer of hope for future discussion based on lobbying from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.

In October 2013, the Lac du Flambeau became the first tribe to join the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA). According to their website, “TIGA is an alliance of Indian tribes working collectively to bring internet gaming to Indian Country, within the framework of IGRA and all other state and federal laws.”

While TIGA’s efforts haven’t produced any viable results towards the acceptance of Tribal online gambling in the US, the Lac du Flambeau’s involvement could help bring discussions to the table within the next few years.

Online Poker Players from Wisconsin

There are over 50 known online poker players from Wisconsin, and countless more that we don’t know of. Some of the more successful ones include Christopher “soapnyoureye” Burmeister, Alex “Alex_Striker” Scheurell, Rick “RStenson” Stenson, Matt “P0keSh0w” Schmelzer and Alexander “UcanRiverMe” Hill.

Land-Based Card Rooms in Wisconsin

There are 22 casinos in Wisconsin, all run by the state’s 11 tribal communities, many of which offer live poker rooms for their patrons.

Bad River Lodge & Casino
Odanah, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Grindstone Creek Casino
Hayward, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Ho-Chunk Gaming Black River Falls
Black River Falls, WI
Poker Room: No

Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Madison, WI
Poker Room: No

Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa
Nekoosa, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Ho-Chunk Gaming Tomah
Tomah, WI
Poker Room: No

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells
Baraboo, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg
Wittenberg, WI
Poker Room: No

Irene Moore Activity Center
Green Bay, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Legendary Waters Resort & Casino
Bayfield, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Lac Courte Oreilles Casino, Lodge & Convention Center
Hayward, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Lake of the Torches
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin

Mason Street Casino
Green Bay, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Menominee Casino Resort
Keshena, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Mohican North Star Casino
Bowler, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Mole Lake Casino & Lodge
Mole Lake, WI
Poker Room: No

Oneida Bingo Casino
Green Bay, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Milwaukee, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin Free

Potawatomi Northern Lights Bingo and Casino
Carter, WI
Poker Room: No

Online Poker For Money Wisconsin

St. Croix Casino Danbury (formerly Hole in the Wall Casino)
Danbury, WI
Poker Room: No

St. Croix Hertel Express (formerly Little Turtle Hertel Express)
Webster, WI
Poker Room: No

St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake
Turtle Lake, WI
Poker Room: Yes

Online Poker Real Money Wisconsin State