Wisconsin Sportsbook Launching Sports Betting App

A Wisconsin sportsbook is planning to launch an online sports betting app that aims to streamline the wagering process for customers.

The Potawatomi Casino Hotel, which is located in MIlwaukee, officially opened its sportsbook and poker room this past May. It is the sixth casino to successfully get licensed for sports betting in Wisconsin, and its offerings have already proven to be a major draw.

However, the launch of a Wisconsin online sports betting app will separate them from the field. Not every Wisconsin sportsbook has decided to go that route. And while that seems somewhat bonkers on its face, it’s not so egregious when you dig into online sports betting laws in The Badger State.

Full Details of the Potawatomi’s Wisconsin Sportsbook Launching a Mobile Wagering App

News of Potawatomi launching an online betting app came shortly after their permanent Wisconsin sportsbook cut the red ribbon. Here’s Maredithe Meyer of Milwaukee Business News with the full details:

“With the recent opening of its permanent retail sportsbook, Potawatomi Casino Hotel is working on a mobile app that will allow patrons to place bets anywhere in the casino building. The on-premise mobile sports betting app is currently under full development and won’t be ready to launch for another eight months, Potawatomi CEO Dominic Ortiz told BizTimes at the sportsbook grand opening event earlier this month. ‘We’re excited, it’ll bring a new flavor when you come to the casino,’ he said. ‘If you don’t want to go wait in line and put your bet in on the kiosk, you could sit right here and place prop bets, enjoy your meal, food, drink and entertainment.’”

No official launch date is set for the Potawatomi online sports betting app. Based on the loose timeline Ortiz gave to Meyer, though, locals can expect the Wisconsin sportsbook to roll out its mobile site at the beginning of 2025.

Many, of course, will latch onto the “on-premise mobile sports betting app” description. What does that mean, exactly?

Why the Potawatomi Sports Betting App will Only be Available On-Site

Contrary to other online sportsbooks in the United States, the Potawatomi betting site won’t be accessible from anywhere.

The Wisconsin sports betting compact does not allow for any wagering off tribal land. As a result, the Potawatomi online sportsbook will be accessible only while on the casino property. The app will feature geofencing technology that tracks user locations and determines whether they are within range to place a wager.

Plenty of people won’t see this as a major convenience. They’re going to be on-property anyway. Why not just use one of the Wisconsin sportsbook kiosks or cashiers the Potawatomi Casino Hotel has installed. After all, there are reportedly more than 20 kiosks and 10 ticket writers on location.

There is still nevertheless a convenience factor involved. A Wisconsin mobile sports betting app allows customers process transactions without having to wait on line. For some, there will be value in placing bets while they’re eating, using slot machines, playing table games or just browsing around the casino floor.

On top of that, as Ortiz noted to the Milwaukee Business News, the Potawatomi want their Wisconsin sportsbook to keep up with changing times. “[Online mobile sports betting is] what’s happening in the industry and we want to stay ahead of it,” he said.”

He certainly has a point here. The vast majority of legal sports betting in the United States are now processed using an online site. In fact, many markets see 85 percent, 90 percent or more of their transactions submitted through an online sportsbook in the USA.

Yet, that matters only so much when you’re limited to on-site wagering. Unless, of course, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel is setting up its Wisconsin sportsbook to do more than that.

Could We See an Expansion of Wisconsin Online Sportsbooks?

There are most likely two avenues through which Wisconsin sportsbooks can expand their online betting sites. The state could amend their gaming laws to allow for more online sports betting throughout The Badger State. Or, perhaps, more likely, tribes could look to follow the lead of sports betting in Florida.

As of now, Florida online sports betting is exclusive to the Seminole tribe. Their gaming compact gives them a monopoly over sports wagering. And their Florida online sports betting app, which is run in partnership with Hard Rock Sportsbook, is technically accessible only on tribal property.

However, the Seminole sports betting app allows users anywhere in the state to access its features and submit tickets. They have for years argued that because their sports betting app servers are on tribal land, the online sports betting site itself is an extension of tribal property.

To be sure, the Seminoles have received plenty of push-back for their interpretation. Their setup has resulted in years of litigation. At one point, Florida sports betting was altogether shut down for roughly two years.

In the end, though, the Seminole tribe’s interpretation has held up. So, could Wisconsin sportsbooks attempt something similar? It’s certainly possible. But we wouldn’t expect it to happen unless they collaborate with state officials. And with the launch of the Potawatomi online sports betting app tentatively scheduled for 2025, don’t be surprised if Florida online sports betting usage is a topic during the next round of legislative meetings.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: