Minnesota holds an historic place on the US gambling landscape. They were the first state to approve tribal casinos.
In 1990, the Minnesota State Lottery was launched. Horse racing is also part of the state’s gambling structure, with two tracks offering live racing in Minnesota. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing in Minnesota was legalized in 1983. Daily fantasy sports are also available to play in the state.
On the other hand, sports betting, both retail and online, remains on the outs in Minnesota. In fact, all forms of online gambling are against the law in the state.
Minnesota Legal Gambling Overview
| Online casino | not legal |
| Sports betting | Not legal |
| Horse racing online betting | Legal |
| Poker | Not legal |
Minnesota’s Best Gambling Sites
A bid to pass legislation legalizing sports betting in Minnesota in the spring of 2024 came up just shy of pushing the bill forward toward becoming law.
A proposal put forth by Rep. Zack Stephenson would’ve placed the state’s 20 tribal nations in charge of all sports betting operations. The tax rate in the bill was set at 20%. However, the bill was never brought to the floor for a vote prior to the end of the legislative session.
There’s resistance to the plan from the state’s racetracks, who want a piece of the sports betting action. Tribal groups also aren’t big supporters of the online option for sports betting.
Previous attempts to pass a sports betting bill in the state were made in both 2022 and 2023. Both also failed to garner the necessary support to be moved forward.
Minnesota Online Casino Sites & Offers
The state is filled with casinos, but can you play at an online casino in Minnesota? Find the answers to all of your casino gaming questions right here.
You can’t play online casino games in Minnesota, but there are numerous Native American casinos in the state.
Minnesota is a well-known Native American casino hotspot in the United States, boasting over 20 tribal casinos that are effectively granted a monopoly on the industry.
Being able to lobby efficiently, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association has helped to keep casino games in Minnesota on tribal land. As such, the state is yet to legalize online casino gaming.
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is overflowing with legal gambling venues, but they don’t extend to the digital space yet.
Online Casino Sites in Minnesota
You cannot play at an online casino in Minnesota.
As it stands, the only places that you can play casino games are land-based establishments – the majority of which are on sovereign land.
Unless the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association changes its stance on any Minnesota online casino being active, it seems unlikely that you’ll be able to play the likes of blackjack, roulette, or slot games over the internet.
Based on the current laws in Minnesota and the overall market in states nearby DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and FanDuel are among the first casinos expected to go live in the state.
Minnesota Online Casino Sites Expected:
Best Online Casino Games in Minnesota
You cannot play the best online casino games in Minnesota.
Without an online casino in Minnesota, you won’t be able to play the best online casino games. Of course, there are plenty of top-class games at the many land-based casinos of the North Star State, but the latest innovations tend to debut online.
Popular, highly-rated slots like Starburst, the progressive jackpot suites, and live casino games are all out of reach as there is currently no Minnesota online casino active.
Best Online Casino Apps in Minnesota
You cannot plat at the best online casino apps in Minnesota.
Casino apps are invariably tied to online casino websites, with the convenient mobile applications offering an easier way to access and play the operator’s games.
As such, until Minnesota commissions the presence and use of online casinos, the best online casino apps will remain unavailable in the state.
Minnesota Online Casinos
Brick and mortar casino gambling was legalized in Minnesota in 1989. Land-based casinos are prevalent throughout the state. There are 18 tribal casinos operating in Minnesota. As well, racinos are situated in each of the state’s two racetracks – Canterbury Park and Running Aces Harness Park.
While attempts to legalize sports betting – both land-based and online – have made several unsuccessful bids in front of the state legislature, there’s been no effort put forth whatsoever to try and legalize online casino gambling.
Top Land-based Casinos in Minnesota
You have over 20 land-based casinos to choose from in Minnesota.
From Warroad to Morton, Mahnomen to Grand Portage, you can find a nearby casino in just about every part of Minnesota.
Two of the locations, Canterbury Park and Running Aces Harness Park, are racetracks with card rooms, while the rest are Native American-owned. Of these, Little Six Casino in Prior Lake and Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch stands as the top options.
Tax When Gambling in Minnesota
You will be taxed at the state and federal level for your Minnesota gambling wins.
The IRS considers gambling winnings taxable income, taxing them at a rate of 24 percent. The North Star state also requires you to file winnings as income at an 8.5 percent tax rate.
Do any of the tribal casinos have a Minnesota online casino?
As it stands, the Native American casinos don’t offer online casinos to the residents of Minnesota.
Is it illegal in Minnesota to play casino games online with bonus funds?
Many online casino offers feature the term “free,” but claiming the “free” bonuses often requires a real money deposit, which makes doing so illegal in Minnesota.
How many casinos are there in Minnesota?
There are 21 tribal casinos and two racecourse/card room venues in Minnesota.
Minnesota Sweepstakes Casinos
There is a way for Minnesotans to get their online casino fix. Social or sweepstakes casinos are legal and available to people across the state.
With a social casino, you play for the fun of it. It’s possible to take part without ever spending a cent by playing with gold coins. Of course, you also won’t be winning a cent. That is, unless you opt to upgrade to sweeps coins. Winnings in this style of play can be exchanged for prizes like gift cards, merchandise and in some instances, cash.
These are among the social casinos operating in Minnesota.
McLuck Casino: Choose from among 300+ games supplied by such software developers as Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming and NetEnt at the McLuck Casino. Gold coins can be claimed for free via daily login promotions. There’s tournament play and a standalone McLuck Casino app is also available.
WOW Vegas Casino: Play with WOW coins, their style of gold coins, or sweeps coins inside the WOW Vegas Casino. Opt to try out one of more than 700 games offered inside this casino. Betsoft and Pragmatic Play are among the game developers on the site. There’s daily login promotions for free coins and a player loyalty rewards program offered.
High 5 Casino: Get 250 game coins, five sweeps coins and 600 diamonds when signing up at the High 5 Casino. Game coins are their version of gold coins, while diamonds are unique to the High 5 Casino. These can be utilized to access boosts when playing a game. There’s free daily rewards, over 1,200 games to play and a standalone app offered through the High 5 Casino.
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).
State-by-State Online Gambling Resources
Here are the links to information about online casinos and gambling sites in various states:
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
