Wisconsin has no racetracks, but Wisconsin residents can still bet on horse racing online. Advance deposit wagering (ADW) apps that list Wisconsin as an eligible state, including our partner AmWager, take pari-mutuel bets on tracks across North America from Milwaukee to Superior.
It is a quirk of Badger State history. Voters approved pari-mutuel wagering in 1987, but live horse racing never developed, the greyhound tracks that opened instead have all closed, and the state does not license or regulate online racebooks. Out-of-state ADWs, most of them licensed in Oregon, fill the gap. Here is how it works and what to know first.
In this article 13 sections
- Wisconsin horse racing: the key facts
- Is online horse betting legal in Wisconsin?
- Horse betting sites in Wisconsin
- Why Wisconsin has no tracks
- How ADW betting works for Wisconsin players
- Big races for Wisconsin bettors
- Types of horse racing bets
- Best horse betting apps in Wisconsin
- Sports betting in Wisconsin
- Taxes on horse racing winnings in Wisconsin
- Responsible gambling in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin horse racing betting in 2027
- More
Wisconsin horse racing: the key facts
| Quick facts | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Online horse betting | Available through out-of-state ADW apps that accept Wisconsin |
| State regulation of ADWs | None; state law does not expressly address online racebooks |
| Live racetracks | None |
| Off-track betting sites | None currently operating |
| Pari-mutuel age under state law | 18 |
| AmWager minimum age | 21+ |
| Sports betting | In person at tribal casinos; mobile authorized but not live |
| State tax on winnings | Graduated income tax, up to 7.65% |
| Problem gambling help | 1-800-GAMBLE-5; 1-800-GAMBLER |
Is online horse betting legal in Wisconsin?
It sits in a gray area, but it is widely available. Chapter 562 of the Wisconsin Statutes governs racing and pari-mutuel wagering, and it sets the minimum betting age at 18 in Section 562.06. The chapter does not mention advance deposit wagering at all. Section 562.211 appears to limit wagers to authorized racetracks, which the state no longer has, and simulcast wagering is only allowed at licensed tracks that host a minimum number of live race days.
In practice, Wisconsin does not license online racebooks and has not acted against them, and several national ADWs accept Wisconsin residents under licenses from other states. Your bets go into the host track’s pari-mutuel pool, so you are betting against other players, not the operator.
Horse betting sites in Wisconsin
AmWager is our racing partner and lists Wisconsin among the states it serves. It is racing-only, with pari-mutuel pools from tracks across North America and abroad, free past performances and live video on many races. You must be 21 or older to open an account.
Read our AmWager review Visit AmWager →
DRF Bets, the Daily Racing Form’s racebook, lists Wisconsin as fully available. Other national brands such as NYRA Bets and TwinSpires do not publish a single state list; their terms require you to live where pari-mutuel wagering is lawful, so confirm Wisconsin eligibility at sign-up. FanDuel Racing, the former TVG, does not list Wisconsin among its 31 states. Eligible-state lists change, so check the operator’s terms before you sign up.
Why Wisconsin has no tracks
The 1987 referendum was meant to bring horse racing. Instead, the Legislature issued five greyhound permits in 1989, Dairyland Greyhound Park opened in Kenosha in 1990, and four more dog tracks followed by 1991. They ran straight into competition from tribal casinos, after Wisconsin’s 11 tribes signed gaming compacts in 1991 and 1992, and closed one by one. Dairyland held on longest and shut in 2009.
At least two tribal casinos once ran off-track betting rooms, but both have closed them. For a live card, Wisconsin fans head to Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota, Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, or Hawthorne Race Course outside Chicago.
How ADW betting works for Wisconsin players
- Confirm you meet the operator’s age rule (21 at AmWager) and are physically in an eligible state.
- Register with your legal name, address and date of birth so identity checks clear.
- Deposit by bank transfer, debit card or another listed method.
- Pick a track, a race and a bet type, then confirm the ticket.
- Winnings settle to your balance once the race is official.
Big races for Wisconsin bettors
- The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, then the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, which returns to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027.
- Summer meets close to home at Canterbury Park and Prairie Meadows.
- The Saratoga and Del Mar summer meets.
- The Breeders’ Cup World Championships each fall, scheduled for Belmont Park in 2027.
Types of horse racing bets
- Win, Place and Show: back a horse to finish first, in the top two or in the top three.
- Exacta and Trifecta: the first two or three finishers in exact order, or boxed to cover any order.
- Superfecta: the first four in order.
- Daily Double and Pick 3 through Pick 6: winners of consecutive races.
A worked example: a $2 exacta box on two horses costs $4. If they finish first and second in either order, you collect the exacta payout for a $2 ticket. Payouts are only known when the race is official, because they depend on the size of the pool.
Best horse betting apps in Wisconsin
AmWager’s app runs on iOS and Android with wagering, live video and handicapping data in one place. It checks your location, so keep location services on. When comparing apps, weigh track coverage, video quality, rebates and withdrawal speed. A second account at DRF Bets lets you compare track lists and promotions race by race.
Sports betting in Wisconsin
Sports betting is legal in person at tribal casinos, including Oneida in Green Bay, Potawatomi in Milwaukee and St. Croix in Turtle Lake. 2025 Wisconsin Act 247, signed in April 2026, allows statewide mobile betting through servers on tribal land, but amended compacts, federal approval and a pending lawsuit stand between the law and a launch. Our Wisconsin gambling guide has the full story.
Taxes on horse racing winnings in Wisconsin
Winnings are taxable income in Wisconsin at the state’s graduated rates, which top out at 7.65%. Federally, large pari-mutuel payouts can trigger a W-2G, with withholding generally applying when a payout exceeds $5,000 and is at least 300 times the stake. From the 2026 tax year, only 90% of gambling losses can be deducted, and never more than your winnings.
Responsible gambling in Wisconsin
Set a budget before the first post and stick to it. ADW accounts offer deposit limits and self-exclusion. The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling helpline, 1-800-GAMBLE-5 (1-800-426-2535), is free, confidential and open 24/7, and 1-800-GAMBLER works nationally. See our responsible gambling guide.
Wisconsin horse racing betting in 2027
Belmont Stakes returns to Belmont Park
The Belmont Stakes moves back to the rebuilt Belmont Park in 2027 after three years at Saratoga, one of the biggest days for Wisconsin ADW accounts.
Breeders’ Cup on Long Island
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled for Belmont Park in fall 2027.
Will racing ride the sports betting wave?
Act 247 deals only with sports and event wagers. Any update to Chapter 562 to license ADWs directly would need separate legislation.
Is online horse betting legal in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law does not expressly address ADWs and the state does not license them, but national racebooks such as AmWager and DRF Bets accept Wisconsin residents.
What is the age to bet on horses online in Wisconsin?
State law sets 18 for pari-mutuel betting, but AmWager requires 21.
Are there any racetracks in Wisconsin?
No. Live horse racing never developed, and the last greyhound track, Dairyland in Kenosha, closed in 2009.
Does TVG accept Wisconsin residents?
FanDuel Racing, the former TVG, does not list Wisconsin among its eligible states.
Can I bet on the Kentucky Derby from Wisconsin?
Yes, through an ADW app that accepts Wisconsin customers, with your bet pooled at Churchill Downs.
Do I pay Wisconsin tax on horse racing winnings?
Yes, at the state’s graduated income tax rates, plus federal tax.
