Minnesota Online Gambling

Minnesota gambling laws have a strict definition of gambling, but the state regulates several popular forms of gambling. Most of the gambling laws are the conventional, common-sense statutes one would expect from a moderate Midwestern state. Tribal casinos and bingo halls dominate Minnesota’s gambling industry, though other forms of gaming are allowed in the right circumstances.

For instance, charitable electronic pull-tab games were legalized to build an NFL stadium. Social gaming is allowed on a widespread basis. Online casinos and poker sites are not regulated, though. Read through this page to see which forms of gambling are available, along with a list of the gaming venues in Minnesota.

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Laws That Pertain to Minnesota Gambling

Minnesota’s gambling laws have a strict definition of what is “bet” is. Even if a form of gaming involves an element of skill, it is considered a bet if two or more parties strike a bargain for gain or loss. Here is the relevant part of Minnesota’s gaming law.

Minnesota Relevant state code: 750.301 et seq.; 432.201 et seq.

Section 609.75(d)(1)

A bet is a bargain whereby the parties mutually agree to a gain or loss by one to the other of specified money, property or benefit dependent upon chance although the chance is accompanied by some element of skill.

Like most other states, making a bet is a misdemeanor. Even illegal gaming operators are committing a misdemeanor in most cases, where such operations are a felony in some states. The list of misdemeanor gambling laws is listed in sub-section 755 of Section 609 of Minnesota’s law.

Section 609.755

Whoever does any of the following is guilty of a misdemeanor:

(1) makes a bet;

(2) sells or transfers a chance to participate in a lottery;

(3) disseminates information about a lottery, except a lottery conducted by an adjoining state, with intent to encourage participation therein;

(4) permits a structure or location owned or occupied by the actor or under the actor’s control to be used as a gambling place; or

(5) except where authorized by statute, possesses a gambling device.

Is Gambling Legal in the State of Minnesota?

This means that most forms of gambling are illegal in Minnesota. Charitable bingo halls are legal and plentiful, but casino gambling is not. Also, online gambling is not regulated in Minnesota. Unless you want to gamble on bingo, most forms of gaming are banned.

Electronic pull-tabs, a form of raffle game, were legalized to help pay for U.S. Bank Stadium — the home of the Minnesota Vikings. The provider of electronic pull-tab equipment had trouble with the rollout and revenues were slow at first. Minnesota Gambling Control Board executive director Tom Barrett could not account for the early troubles, but they eventually were fixed. Eventually, pull-tabs generated $250 million a year to help pay for the $1.061 billion stadium.

Minnesota Gambling Laws

Type of Gambling – Offered/Licensed? – Notes & Restrictions

• Online Gambling – No – Online poker and casinos are not regulated.
• Land-Based Casinos – Yes – A few dozen brick-and-mortar tribal casinos.
• Charitable Gaming – Yes – Bingo. Dozens of bingo halls. No other charitable games allowed.
• Lottery Betting – Yes – Also, Powerball (1990) and Mega Millions (2010) are legal.
• Minimum Gambling Age – 18 unless alcohol is served. Then it is 21.

Is Online Poker Legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota Online Poker Laws

Minnesota’s legislature has not legalized online poker. No major efforts have been made to pass a Minnesota online gambling bill. The state’s people do not appear concerned about gaining the ability to play online poker. Social games are legal and, in fact, are tied to land-based Minnesota casinos. These appear to be enough to satisfy Minnesotans’ need for online and mobile gaming.

Of course, many Minnesota online poker players visit unregulated offshore online cardrooms. These are not licensed under Minnesota law, though law enforcement does not prosecute residents for the games they play in the privacy of their homes.

Is Sports Betting / Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Minnesota?

No, sports betting is not legal in Minnesota. No state lawmakers have introduced legislation to regulate sportsbooks, so Minnesota gamblers cannot legally make a bookmaker bet in the state. Since Murphy v. NCAA, the landmark US Supreme Court decision which repealed PASPA, only happened in May 2018, Minnesota lawmakers might take up in the issue in 2019 or 2020. With so many tribal casinos, legal sportsbooks might be legalized in due time, but tribal gaming compacts are complicated, so it might take time to get the legal framework right.

Minnesota’s lawmakers tried to pass daily fantasy sports regulations in 2018 (H 1415, SF1402). The bill had its first reading (February 2017), second (May 2017), and third reading (April 2018). The measure was slightly amended on April 12, 2018 to make it more acceptable to legislators. Despite that move, the bill failed to pass on April 24, 2018. Thus, the daily fantasy sports industry exists in a gray area. Most DFS operators are active in Minnesota, but it is an unregulated jurisdiction.

Does Minnesota have land-based casinos?

Yes, Minnesota has 40 land-based casinos and 2 racinos. Tribal casinos dominate the gaming industry in the Land the 10,000 Lakes. Here is a list of the many casinos you’ll find in Minnesota.

CASINOS

Does Minnesota have any legal betting tracks / shops?

Yes. Minnesota has horse racing and pari-mutuel wagers, though the venues have been turned into racinos these days to keep the tracks solvent. Below is a list of horse track racinos.

Does Minnesota allow off-track betting?

The state also does not have off-track betting facilities. Pari-mutuel wagers are made at the following racinos:

RACINOS

Does Minnesota allow charitable gambling?

Yes, Minnesota has charitable bingo halls. Electronic pull-tab games were legal for a time to pay for U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings NFL team and the Minnesota Golden Gophers NCAA baseball team. Here is a list of the charitable bingo parlors in Minnesota.

BINGO HALLS

Is Social gaming allowed in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota has a substantial social gaming presence online. Treasure Island Casino has its own online social gaming sites. Also, the various Grand Casino and Sevens Clans casinos — Seven Clans Red Lake, Grand Casino Hinckley, Seven Clans Thief River Falls, Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and Seven Clans Warroad — all have links on their websites to Double Down Casino.

Also, Slotomania, Big Fish Games, and Zynga Poker are available for play through Facebook. Each has its own social gaming app, as well. MGM Resorts’ PlayMGM social gaming site is available, but players only can play for comps and other rewards — not cash prizes.