Poker Tournaments in Wisconsin in 2024 – WI Poker Tournaments Schedule & Results

Read on and learn about the biggest poker tournaments in the Badger State

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Avatar Author Adrian Sterne
Fact checked by Dusan Jovanovic

Wisconsin may be one of the nation’s leading dairy manufacturers, most famous for its cheese and beer — however, the same does not hold for gambling, let alone poker. The Badger State only provides a few gambling options to its residents, which include tribal casinos, charitable bingo games, horse betting, and the state lottery. 

As for poker, WI residents can only play it in tribal casinos. Since those land-based venues have a limited offer and rarely host tournaments, many players turn to offshore gambling platforms. Moreover, state-licensed online poker is still off the table. 

In turn, international poker sites host highly rewarding tournaments and plenty of cash games, which gives them an edge over their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

In this piece, we’ll discuss the available tournament options in Wisconsin, focusing on the ones players can enjoy from the comfort of their homes. 

Poker Tournaments in Wisconsin

In contrast to its neighbor, Indiana, Wisconsin’s gambling scene is fairly stagnant. America’s Dairyland is home to 27 brick-and-mortar casinos, with only two offering some poker action to its residents. As such, in-person poker tournaments are relatively uncommon.

Online poker hasn’t had any better luck. This vertical remains unregulated in the Badger State, and everyone who indulges in illegal gambling can be found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor

This violation is punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and/or up to 90 days jail time. Those who attempt to run illegal gambling enterprises may face felony convictions involving fines up to $10,000 and a 3.5-year imprisonment. Based on this information, it is clear that the state does not authorize online poker competitions. 

Online Poker Tournaments in Wisconsin

Wisconsin defines a bet in the following manner: “A bet is a bargain in which the parties agree that, dependent upon chance even though accompanied by some skill, one stands to win or lose something of value specified in the agreement.”

Since poker is considered a game of chance, its inclusion on the list of prohibited gambling activities makes sense. Meanwhile, the state hasn’t been interested in legalizing this sector. The only attempt happened in 2013 when the sovereign Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians launched a play-for-fun online platform for their Lake of the Torches Casino Resort. The casino’s poker room closed soon after, and there has been no movement since. 

In contrast, the law remains surprisingly silent regarding participating in online poker tournaments on offshore sites — neither allowing nor prohibiting them. As a result, players often leverage this gray area to play at international poker rooms. The Badger State has never prosecuted anyone for pursuing online poker, meaning you are safe to register. To get started, you can check out our list of recommended operators. 

These platforms have packed tournament schedules and host numerous daily and weekly events with guarantees ranging from thousands to several hundred thousand dollars. The most common formats include SNGs and Freezeouts, while the multi-table tournaments and DeepStacks typically have enormous prize pools. 

Despite lacking a formal online poker market, America’s Dairyland has produced a fair share of poker pros, the most famous being Phil Hellmuth. This Wisconsin-born player holds the record for owning 16 WSOP bracelets and being the only player who has won the Las Vegas WSOP Main Event and WSOPE. Other WI players worth mentioning include Joe Kuether and Tony Dunst.

Land-Based Poker Tournaments in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has traditionally had an anti-gambling stance. This was evident from the state Constitution of 1848, which prohibited gambling. Eventually, in 1857, the general public decided to eradicate the activity from some cities. Nevertheless, there was no stopping this habit. Many state legislators were pressured to amend the constitution several times and remove the blanket ban on gambling.

The first games of chance to enter the legal framework were charitable bingo and raffles, and the lottery followed suit. Land-based gaming facilities were relatively late to the party. In the 1980s, the state tribes sought to establish casinos, which they finally accomplished in 1992 when the Badger State signed compacts with 11 tribes. The Ho-Chunk Nation has the most establishments (7), while the Potawatomi Nation owns the largest land-based gambling facility in the state — the Potawatomi Casino Hotel. 
The four most-visited gambling venues in the state are:

  • Oneida Casino 
  • St.Croix Casino Turtle Lake
  • Potawatomi Hotel Casino
  • Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells

These casinos offer Class III gaming, but poker tournaments rarely take place. 

How to Register for an Online Poker Tournament in Wisconsin

It is relatively easy to participate in an online poker tournament in Wisconsin. You will be on your way to a thrilling experience in no time if you follow these steps:

Scout the right poker platform

Browse our list of offshore poker rooms and decide which platform meets your requirements.

Signup

Once you’ve made your choice, navigate to the website to set up an account. Provide all the necessary details to ensure a seamless gambling experience. Note that it is possible to register with more than one poker room, which allows you to compare their tournament offerings and schedules. 

At this point, most operators will ask you to verify your account. Clicking the link you received via email will complete this step and automatically log you in.

Deposit & Play

Choose the payment method and fund your account. Operators usually support credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, vouchers, and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin

Don’t miss out on the welcome deal. Taking advantage of this offer will boost your bankroll, help you play longer, and increase your winning chances.

Head to the tournament section and zero in on the one that matches your skill set and budget. Good luck!

Wisconsin Land-Based Casinos With Poker Tournaments

As mentioned, Wisconsin is home to 27 tribal casinos, but only two have dedicated poker rooms — Oneida Casino and Potawatomi Casino Hotel (currently closed for renovations). The former features 8 poker tables, while the latter is much bigger, boasting 20 tables. You must be at least 21 to take part. 

Both venues welcome players of any skill level, where they can enjoy Limit and No-Limit Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, Omaha, and Bravo Poker Live. The games typically have low buy-ins, ranging between $3–$6. When it comes to promotions, they both host Bead Beat jackpots. Potawatomi once organized quarterly tournaments, one of them being the famous World Series of Poker Circuit Tour. 

If you want to check them out, this is where to go:

Name Address Number of Tables
Oneida Casino 2020 Airport Dr, Green Bay, WI 54313 8
Potawatomi Casino Hotel 1721 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53233 20

 

It’s worth noting that WI players often cross the border and visit neighboring states like Indiana and Minnesota in search of poker opportunities. These states have a plethora of poker rooms, offer plenty of cash games, and some even organize notable tournaments. 

Among them are Four Winds South Bend Casino in Indiana (12 tables), Running Aces Casino and Racetrack in Minnesota (20 tables), and Canterbury Park Casino in Minnesota (32 tables). Canterbury Park is the largest of them, hosting tournaments seven days a week.

Wisconsin Poker Tournaments Schedule

We have all the latest information about upcoming poker tournaments that welcome Wisconsin players right here.

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Check back again, An event maybe on its way soon

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Final Thoughts

While its neighboring states tend to be more progressive, Wisconsin’s political climate is more conservative. The government’s stance on gambling is evolving quite slowly, which is why experts believe that Wisconsin has a low chance of regulating online gambling and poker any time soon. 

Add to that the fact that there are no commercial casinos in the state and there is little desire to legalize this vertical, it is understandable why poker players have to resort to international platforms to participate in tournaments. Select your favorite operator from the list above, and enroll in one right away!

FAQ

Are online poker tournaments legal in Wisconsin?

They aren’t, but WI players still have options. Although offshore poker sites like Ignition, 888poker, or BetOnline are not explicitly illegal or legal, many poker enthusiasts play on them. The state is against online gambling businesses, but individual players have never been prosecuted for joining offshore poker sites. 

Are there any land-based poker rooms in Wisconsin?

Yes, there are. WI players can currently play poker in Oneida Casino’s poker room and visit the one in Potawatomi once the tribe finalizes its $100 million renovation project. 

Can I play online poker tournaments in Wisconsin on mobile?

Of course. Nowadays, almost all poker sites support mobile devices. You can easily access their platforms via phone or tablet, through a mobile browser, or an app. In fact, some operators will incentivize you if you sing in a tournament using their mobile software. 

What is the minimum gambling age in WI?

The legal gambling age in the Badger State is 18 for bingo and other legal games, while you must be at least 21 to be allowed to play at tribal casinos. Conversely, offshore platforms typically require players to be at least 18. 

Who regulates gambling in Wisconsin?

Since the Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations, they have a separate body that regulates tribal gaming — the Wisconsin Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Lottery Board oversees all non-tribal gambling forms. 

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