Can you gamble online in Minnesota?
| Online casino | not legal |
| Sports betting | Not legal |
| Horse racing online betting | Legal |
| Poker | Not legal |
THE wait for sports betting to become available in Minnesota dates back three years to when the state’s lawmakers first expressed an interest in passing legislation, and a new bill is expected before the House imminently.
The response to the Covid pandemic delayed action 12 months ago, meaning both online and in-person sports betting is still unavailable. However, meetings have been held with the 11 recognized tribal councils in a bid to pave the way for legislation to be introduced, with hopes high that changes will be made to gambling laws.
The reticence of many of the tribes to the introduction of online sportsbooks appears the major barrier, with concerns that any relaxing of the law would see them lose out to out-of-state gambling powerhouses. At present, the gambling options in the state are the land-based casinos and the race tracks.
Betting in Minnesota
There are no legal sports betting options in Minnesota, with a new bill expected to focus on the introduction of in-person sports betting. Online sportsbooks are not expected to be introduced in the state any time soon.
Minnesota casinos
No online casinos have been legalized but there are land-based venues up and down the state offering a range of services including roulette, live dealer games and electronic gaming.
Minnesota poker
There are no online legal poker sites available in the state but many of the land-based casinos offer extensive poker options, with the two horse race tracks also offering non-banked poker – players playing against each other, not the house.
MN Horse Racing Betting
Two tracks in the state have live racing with Canterbury Park the most notable. The tracks offer simulcast racing and on-track betting with online betting also available through advance-deposit wagering operators including TVG and TwinSpires.
Minnesota lottery
The state lottery has been running since 1988 and tickets can be purchased through the many retailers located up and down Minnesota; there are no online sales available.
Minnesota DFS
There have been several attempts to regulate and legalize DFS events but none have been finalised. However, the likes of FanDuel and DraftKings games are still open to residents of Minnesota, and they operate in a legal gray area.
MN Betting FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
No legal sports betting is available in Minnesota, online or offline, but a bill could be passed this year to allow in-person sports betting at tribal casinos in the state. There is no indication that there will be legislation passed to allow online sports betting in the near future.
Where in MN can I get help with problem gambling?
Gambling can be enjoyable for many but for some it can spiral out of control. If you, or someone close to you, has problems with gambling, help is available. Minnesota – National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org).