Sen. Testin Introduces Tax Credit to Make Wisconsin a Video Game Industry Hub

In a strategic move to attract the rapidly growing video game sector, Sen. Patrick Testin has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at enticing video game production companies to establish their operations in Wisconsin.

With the global video game industry expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.65 percent, reaching a projected market value of $691.31 billion by 2029, Sen. Testin sees a prime opportunity to bring some of that revenue and innovation to the state. The United States alone is expected to generate $141.84 billion in video game revenue this year.

“While the hub for the video game sector is currently in California, many employers there have expressed an interest in leaving that state to expand their base and build additional studios,” said Sen. Testin. “It would be shortsighted for us not to try to tap into that market and bolster our state’s economy and establish more high-paying jobs for our residents.”

The key provision of Senate Bill 204 offers a 30 percent refundable income tax credit for wages paid to employees working in Wisconsin, along with a similar credit for eligible expenditures related to video game production. These incentives aim to make the state an attractive location for game developers looking to expand beyond the traditional California hub.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue, with a public hearing expected soon.

If passed, this legislation could be a game-changer for Wisconsin, potentially fostering new economic growth, creating high-paying jobs, and establishing the state as a hotbed for video game innovation.