Minnesota is home to a number of beloved professional sports teams including the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. It may come as a surprise, then, to hear that sports betting is still illegal in Minnesota. It’s our mission to recommend our readers with the best Minnesota sports betting sites that are also legal, so until we can do that, we have instead dedicated this guide to explain the current legal situation around sports wagering. We’ve also looked into other gambling options in the state before discussing the future outlook for the industry.
As there are no legal Minnesota sportsbooks, you may be tempted to join offshore betting sites to place your wagers. We suggest you avoid signing up at unlicensed bookmakers as there are no guarantees of fairness with these sites, and players are not protected by regulations to prevent things going wrong. Instead, we suggest Minnesotans enjoy the other legal MO gambling options available, including casino gambling, horse race betting, the lottery, and daily fantasy sports.
Current Minnesota Sports Betting Situation
For the time being, it may be some time before you can access Minnesota sports betting sites. There are currently a number of new laws circulating through the government that seek to legalize both in-person betting at tribal casinos and mobile sports betting. While many states have proven that mobile sports betting is an important and profitable way to attract bettors, the tribes have opposed online gambling bills as it could impact their profits.
For this reason, it will probably be a little while longer before all parties can agree on the terms of a new bill. The odds are unlikely that new laws with be implemented before 2021. What is comforting to consider is that many powerful interests are committed to bringing legal Minnesota sports betting to fruition, so it’s just a matter of time before this happens.
In the meantime, you may come across some websites that claim to be the best Minnesota online sportsbook. Unfortunately, until the laws change on sports betting, these websites are not telling the truth and are breaking the law by accepting Minnesota players. We suggest you wait until a legitimate online bookmaker is licensed in the state or you travel to one of the states with legal wagering. If you don’t, you risk being penalized for illegal gambling.
Are Minnesota Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
Although not technically legal, there is no law against daily fantasy sports (DFS) operating in Minnesota. And while DFS operates in a legal grey area in MN, there’s nothing stopping players from creating an account with websites such as DraftKings and FanDuel and participating in contests. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to breaking the law – authorities have shown little interest in preventing players from enjoying DFS.
There are a few things that make DFS different from traditional sports betting. Rather than betting on future outcomes in a particular sporting event, players must build fantasy lineups of players from a major sports league and score points based on their players’ real-life performances. For this reason, the contests are mostly considered to be games of skill rather than games of chance, and therefore not gambling. Current major sports leagues that can be drafted from include the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB.
Minnesota Online Casinos
It is illegal to gamble at online casinos in Minnesota just as it is illegal to gamble with Minnesota online bookies. For this reason, we highly advise against signing up to any real money online casinos in the state. Thankfully, MN is home to 18 tribal-run casinos that offer full-scale gambling from slots to table games.
If you are still after the online casino experience, you are allowed to play at social online casinos. These websites offer casino games such as slots, table games, and poker and can legally do so (so long as bets are made with play money). Occasionally, there may be free-to-enter sweepstakes contests available that reward winning players cash prizes.
Online State Lottery in Minnesota
The Minnesota Lottery has been operating since 1988 and has since grown to provide locals many different lottery games. In addition to instant scratch tickets, there are a number of local, multi-state and national draw games that can be played.
Unfortunately, lottery tickets can not be bought online in MN and there seems to be little interest in establishing and lottery Minnesota online gambling sites in the future. The regulatory body behind the state lottery is simply called the Minnesota State Lottery.
Off Track Horse Betting in Minnesota
Minnesota is home to two horse racing tracks. The oldest and largest of these is Canterbury Park, and the other is called the Running Aces Casino and Racetrack. Both feature additional gambling options including poker and blackjack. It is also possible to bet on simulcast racing while at the tracks.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to bet on horse racing at dedicated Minnesota online bookies or even at off-track betting parlors. All horse racing bets must be placed trackside, which has severely limited how profitable horse racing in the state can be. Despite its long history in MN, horse racing is facing a decline in interest in Minnesota.
What Would Legal Sports Betting in Minnesota Look Like?
We have little doubt that Minnesota would be home to a popular and profitable physical and online sports betting market if it is legalized. The state is already home to a passionate legion of sports fans who support the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Twins (MLB), Wild (NHL). In addition, state gambling industry is already established and thriving. Blending both industries together would undoubtedly create an exciting market with some of the best betting sites and sportsbooks.
We expect that once sports betting is legalized, locals will be able to place bets on everything from major sports league games (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) to collegiate division games. In some states with legal sports betting, wagers can even be placed on eSports events such as Counter Strike: GO tournaments or League of Legends. No matter what sports are offered, Minnesota sports betting sites will be regulated by the Minnesota Gaming Control Board to ensure that bets are fair and players are safe. It is likely that tribal casinos will also open sportsbooks of their own should new laws be passed.
Final Thoughts
We’re confident that Minnesota sports betting is on the way, and hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later. It’s clear that everyone from lawmakers to tribal gaming interests understands the potential of the betting market, so it’s unlikely that they will turn their back on it. For the time being, the issue is a matter of ensuring that all parties are happy with the deal. We believe that online sports betting is an integral ingredient to a successful market, so we hope to see some licensed Minnesota sports betting sites soon. Until this happens, locals can make the most out of the current gambling options which include casino gambling, horse race betting, DFS, and the lottery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have any questions about Minnesota’s gambling laws or other available Minnesota gambling options? Below, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions about the MN gambling industry so that you can be certain that you’re betting legally.
Is online gambling and sports betting legal in Minnesota?
There is no legal sports betting or online gambling in the state of Minnesota. There are currently multiple efforts to change the laws to allow for sports bets to be made in person as well as online through mobile operators. This will likely not pass until 2021 at the earliest.
What is the Minnesota legal gambling age?
The Minnesota minimum gambling age is 18 years old. This applies to all legal gambling options, including even casino gambling which in most states is relegated only to players who are over the age of 21 years of age. We have no reason to believe that the minimum age for sports betting would also not be 18 once legalized.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
No, unlicensed bookmaker sites aren’t safe. Licensing ensures that operators are acting in the best interest of players, meaning that they are offering the fairest odds and are providing secure financial transactions. If anything goes wrong when betting with these sportsbooks, you are not protected. We instead recommend gambling at licensed gaming operators such as the state’s casinos.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
You technically can use offshore sportsbooks to place your wagers, but you may be breaking the law. It’s best to wait until the future betting market is established to safely and legally bet on everything from major sports league games to collegiate division events.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Minnesota?
Yes, you can use FanDuel or DraftKings. At the moment, state residents can only access their daily fantasy sports features, but it’s likely that each will be available as a Minnesota sports betting app once the market is legalized. Both sportsbook platforms are among the best in the country and offer sports bets on all major sports, including the NFL, NBA, Premier League, MLB & more.
Can I buy online lottery tickets in Minnesota?
No, you can’t buy Minnesota lottery tickets online. For all lottery ticket sales, you will need to visit a licensed physical retailer. To stay up-to-date with the latest information about the MN lottery and for accurate information on where to find a retailer, we suggest downloading the official Minnesota Lottery mobile app.