Judge Denies Injunction Against Wisconsin Election Betting Ban
A federal judge refused to block Wisconsin's law barring bets on election outcomes, including contracts on prediction platforms.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Gambling
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U.S. District Judge Byron B. Conway of the Eastern District of Wisconsin denied a request by conservative radio host Joseph Giganti for a preliminary injunction against the state's ban on betting on election outcomes. The ruling was issued Monday.
Why it matters
The decision leaves in place a law that covers purchases of contracts on platforms such as Polymarket, affecting how Wisconsin voters can engage with prediction markets. Conway said states have a strong interest in prohibiting any form of betting by a voter in an election.
The ban covers betting on election outcomes under Wisconsin law, and the court found the scale tipped decidedly against a preliminary injunction. Whether the ruling will be appealed has not been reported.
The players
Byron B. Conway
Conway is a United States District Judge in the Eastern District of Wisconsin who issued the ruling denying the injunction.
Joseph Giganti
Giganti is a Wisconsin conservative radio talk show host who brought the challenge to the state's election-betting ban.
The details
Giganti sought a temporary injunction barring Wisconsin from enforcing the law. Conway ruled that the balance of considerations weighed against granting the preliminary injunction while the case proceeds.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: Judge Conway denied the preliminary injunction request.
Legal Context
The ruling keeps Wisconsin's existing prohibition on election-outcome betting in force, placing prediction-market contracts tied to elections within the scope of state gambling law. The decision reflects how courts have so far weighed state interests in regulating betting on elections.
Wisconsin residents remain barred from placing bets on election outcomes, including through purchases of contracts on platforms such as Polymarket. The ruling means the restriction continues to apply while the case is pending.
The takeaway
Voters in Wisconsin should be aware that the state's election-betting ban remains enforceable, including for prediction-market contracts. Checking current state gambling rules before trading on election-linked platforms can help avoid unintended violations.
Further reading
For more on the rules governing wagers, see Gambling coverage across the site.
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