The gambling scene in America is always in a volatile state. Every day, there are changes to the system. Moreover, the demands of casino players are nearing a new height in the digital age. Lawmakers have been establishing and reforming regulations to keep pace with the rising development of gambling, especially internet gambling.

Every year, more and more states are converging to the legalization of online betting and sportsbooks. We're seeing online casinos emerging across the country. However, that's still not the case for Minnesota. Though there are enough gambling options in the state, online casinos in Minnesota haven't seen the light of day.Read on to learn more about the gaming situation in the state as well as the best alternatives.

Minnesota Casinos & Gambling. Minnesota casinos and gambling have slots, blackjack, craps and poker. Minnesota has a population 5,000,000 people. Minnesota is often called the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes,' it is a Northern state in the United States of America known for its natural beauty, cultural activities, and prosperous economy. Minnesota has a thriving gambling market, with billions of dollars wagered on a wide range of options every year. The Land of 10,000 Lakes now has its sights set on sports betting, which became federally legal and has already been legalized in more than a dozen states. Online gambling. Minnesota’s position on internet gambling is strict in some areas of the law while surprisingly progressive in others. Overall, it is illegal to bet online in Minnesota. However, in 2013, Minnesota lawmakers allowed the state lottery to offer online ticket purchasing. . Minnesota Department of Human Services is responsible for general health and/or addiction services in this state, and may also have information on problem gambling. For the fact sheet on gambling and problem gambling in Minnesota, click here. The Minnesota Gambling Control Board regulates the lawful (charitable) gambling industry to ensure the integrity of operations and provide for the lawful use of net profits. Lawful gambling is conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations.

Best Casinos in Minnesota

A lot of people say it’s too boring to live in Minnesota. What they probably mean is, it’s too pricey. Houses are super expensive here, and thus living standards are very high. That, in turn, implies the bar for gaming is also high. While we won’t find any online casinos in Minnesota at the moment, the traditional ones are off the chart.

There are 20 casinos in Minnesota. That’s a surprising number considering how tentative the state attitude towards gambling is. Most of these are run and owned by Native Americans, including two race tracks. Some of them allow sports betting during certain events, but don’t keep online sportsbooks. Each offers unique forms of entertainment, including slots, table games, and poker. We hope most of their features would make it to the future Minnesota online casinos.

Canterbury Park

Located right by the Wisconsin border, you’d find a lot of your neighbors in this elegant casino. Don’t let the humble exterior discourage you from seeing what’s inside. This place offers a multitude of fun. There’s a race track with live betting available, and you can enter for free at certain hours. The racing schedule may change depending on traffic.

Card players will have a time of their lives in Canterbury Park. More so, for poker players. They host daily tournaments with each containing many events. Different types of poker are available, including Omaha, seven-card stud, and Texas. If you don’t play poker, it’s fine. Enjoy a mixture of card games against the house in the smoke-free card room.

Prairie’s Edge Casino

Voted best casino for seven years, Prairie’s Edge is one of the friendliest places in the state. The casino got its name for a reason. Visitors can enjoy the sweeping view of the prairie while dining on the balcony. You can come to play and feel like you’re camping at the same time.

Promotion hunters should feel at home in Prairie’s Edge. They offer a bundle of free stuff and discounts every single day. Some change depending on the current events, but most will stay the same.

There are over a thousand slot machines, including classic spinners. Depending on your taste, you can play with tokens or coins. Table games offer mandatories such as Blackjack and Poker. One cool thing is that they allow low limit Blackjack for those who only want a casual experience. There’s also virtual Blackjack on the main floor for the xenophobes.

Fortune Bay Resort Casino

Due to its size, Fortune Bay focuses more on vacation activities than actual gaming. It’s one of the biggest resorts in the state. The premise contains a golf course, a marina site, hotels, and a winter park.

Pull Tabs Gambling In Minnesota Pictures

Slots are rather lackluster here. Considering how big the place is, there are a mere 800 machines to play with. Unless you’re a casual lever puller, don’t expect big wins. The limits only go up to $5, and there are no known options for high rollers. Fortune Bay’s video poker keeps the fortune at bay. If you like money, try to avoid these as the slots are super tight.

On top of that, they impose schedules on table games like Blackjack and Poker. There are a lot of tournaments on several poker variants. That doesn’t feel like it compensates for the lack of flexibility.

Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Running Aces is one of the more player-oriented casinos in Minnesota. There are tons of options when it comes to gambling. Not only because it has a racetrack for live betting, but poker events here are also diverse. A lot of veterans frequent this place, so the games are pretty aggressive.

Whenever you come to Running Aces, there’s a new poker tournament going on. Buy-ins are at different levels, including special and charity events. Make sure to check the annual event schedule, so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Promotion isn’t a shortage at this casino, but they revolve around table games. If you’re only here for poker, you’re in luck. Keep an eye out for the many bad beat jackpots they got as well as mini-pots and daily high-hands.

List of Casinos in Minnesota

• Black Bear Casino & Resort
• Canterbury Park Casino
• Fond Duluth Casino
• Fortune Bay Resort
• Grand Casino Hickley
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs
• Grand Portage Lodge
• Jackpot Junction
• Little Six Casino
• Mystic Lake Casino
• Northern Lights Casino
• Palace Casino
• Prairie’s Edge Resort
• Running Aces Casino & Racetrack
• Seven Clans in Red Lake
• Shooting Star Casino
• Treasure Island Resort
• White Oak Casino

Minnesota Casino Laws

Though strict, Minnesota laws do allow for some forms of gambling. It all began in the 1940s when bingo and raffles were first legalized. Following them was horse racing and the live betting that came with it in the 1980s. At the moment, no policy legalizes Minnesota online casinos. Other than the tribal casinos, there are a couple of racetracks.

Native Americans run most of the leading casinos. The state doesn’t get involved as long as they abide by the rules. In fact, poker and slot machines are only legal in reservations. On top of the big operators, there are also smaller gaming clubs all over the state. You’d find various casino games in those places but on a smaller scale.

Internet gambling used to be illegal in any form. Over the years, the regulations became more lenient as they started allowing some types of online betting. Soft sports betting such as Fantasy football has become legal. That doesn’t mean you can start making Minnesota sportsbooks. One can only bet during major sports events in a supervised environment.

Racetracks can also provide casino games. Two table games that are still not legal in Minnesota are craps and roulette. The reason for that is when the state decided to allow Indians to run casinos, they didn’t want to turn the place into another Vegas. That being said, there had to be some kind of limitation to the casino games. So, they agreed to have the standard slots and cards and leave out the dice and ball.

Future Casino Legislation in Minnesota

We’re not seeing any online casinos in Minnesota now, but it’s only a matter of time. The state cannot deny the tremendous profits and gaming tax dollars that come with it. Ever since the tribes won the right to operate casinos in 1989, regulations have been loosening up.

Minnesota lawmakers have been pushing for online sports betting to become legal. In fact, a bill to legalize the activity managed to pass the first stage in early 2019. However, also due to the fact that Native Americans control most leading casinos, their interests are at stake when changes happen. Online betting would significantly reduce traffic to their casinos. As a result, the tribes opposed the bill.

It’s still possible that Minnesota will find ways to create more gambling options for its residents. But, as of now, there are no plans for further reconstruction of online casinos. The current bill has not received a schedule for additional hearing.

Casino Games Available

Don’t feel bummed out because Minnesota online casinos aren’t legal yet. Instead, check out what the mortar-in-brick casinos here have to offer. Across 20 establishments, you have a good chance of finding something you like. Each of them has its own variety in slots and table action. You’d find a majority of traditional titles plus some signature games.

Slots

Slots are abundant among Minnesota casinos. They come in hundreds of variations, each with a different win condition. Every casino you come across will have at least 100 different games. Classic spinners like Triple 7’s, Cleopatra, and 88 Fortune are present in almost all places. They are also popular among the best online casinos where they’re legal.

Each reservation has its own in-house slots as well. Be sure to understand the rules before putting your money in. The good news is, you can try the novelty ones for free on the casino apps. When Minnesota online casinos become legal, most of these sure will make an appearance.

Table and Card Games

While table games are still prominent, the best two are missing. For some reason, it’s not legal to play craps and roulette in Minnesota. Some small clubs find ways around this by altering the core mechanics of these games. Regardless, the finest table action isn’t the same here. You can only hope to find them on Minnesota online casinos later down the road.

Blackjack is still a thing. It comes in many variants across twenty casinos. There are even Blackjack tournaments at the Running Aces. Not too many have survived to tell the tale of what actually happens in those tournaments. You can still enjoy other classic card games such as Pai Gow and Baccarat.

Poker Options

Poker is the only thing compensating for everything Minnesota gambling lacks. The variety is amazing. They cover most variations, including the less-knowns like Hi-Lo and Seven-card. You can find tournaments in most places every day. Poker events come in great diversity and prizes. Almost every casino offers some kind of bad beat or high hand jackpot.

Cash games are a bit lacking. When you do find them, the stakes are unattractive. Table game limits are, in general, pretty low in Minnesota. If you’re a casual or a beginner player, you won’t have any issues. For bigger games, you may want to look into the card clubs that specialize in poker.

Minnesota Casino Apps

Because Minnesota online casinos aren’t official yet, there are no apps for them. There’s an alternative you can use, though. They don’t let you gamble or offer any bonuses, but you still get to play. Every main casino in the state has its own social app. It’s something that helps you stay updated with the going on of the casino.

Most of these apps let you play virtual slots and table games for free. It’s a good time killer when you’re not there spinning actual slots.

Minnesota Online Sportsbooks

We don’t have a legitimate sports betting site in Minnesota yet. Therefore, you won’t find any Minnesota sportsbooks online. The closest thing to it is Fantasy Sports. Some race tracks provide limited betting activities during special events. If you’re an NFL money maker or a general expert in this kind of thing, said activities wouldn’t do it.

Final Thoughts on Casino Gambling in Minnesota

There won’t be any online casinos in Minnesota tomorrow, but the gambling scene is looking good. What's important is that legislators are making an effort toward legalizing online betting. With this, the state can continue to pursue profitable changes to the current system. If you are looking for available states with legal casinos, then try our New Jersey online casinos directory or our Pennsylvania online casinos page.

As Native Americans are still major stakeholders in the casino operations, their opinions carry a lot of weight. But, everyone is subject to persuasion. What Minnesota lawmakers must do is find a reasonable middle ground for both traditional and online casinos to co-exist. We're getting very close to achieving an agreement. Considering how the state has made compromises for the tribes to operate their business, it only makes sense for them to reciprocate.

Minnesota has a thriving gambling market, with billions of dollars wagered on a wide range of options every year. The Land of 10,000 Lakes now has its sights set on sports betting, which became federally legal and has already been legalized in more than a dozen states.

So, what is taking the lawmakers so long to finalize the paperwork necessary to launch a sports betting industry? The truth is that the process is complex and has become quite complicated, thanks to substantial opposition from several parties. However, there may still be some light at the end of the tunnel. Here is everything you need to know about a likely sports betting industry in Minnesota.

The State of Sports Betting in Minnesota

There is both support for and opposition against sports betting in Minnesota. On one hand, a section of lawmakers are actively working on legalizing sports betting across the state. On the other hand, there is substantial opposition from several parties, and most notably from the Indian Tribes in the state.

There have been two House bills proposed to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. The first was House bill HF 1278 by Rep. Pat Garofalo, which was introduced last year. The bill took into consideration many of the Indian Tribes’ concerns, but it still didn’t get their approval. The bill appears to have stalled.

The second bill that is currently under discussion is bill SF 1894 by Sen. Roger Chamberlain. This bill was also filed last year, and the Indian Tribes opposed it, too. Sen. Chamberlain later proposed amendments that would better address the Tribes concerns. The proposed amendments include:

• Requiring sports bettors to register in-person for mobile-based sports wagering. In-person registration would be done at the casinos or racetracks.
• Clarifying that state sports betting law pre-empts local sports betting and gambling laws.
• Allowing each sports betting operator the option of offering up to two individually-branded sports betting platforms, including mobile sports betting apps for each platform.
• Expediting the process of setting up sports betting applicants either summarily or as an emergency.

These amendments are still under discussion, but there is little hope that the Indian Tribes will change their stance. The opposition stems from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA), which is worried that introducing sports betting will disproportionately affect their brick-and-mortar casinos.

John McCarthy, the Executive Director of MIGA, submitted a written testimony reiterating the Indian Tribes’ stance, saying, “Minnesota tribes remain concerned that a legal sports betting market could have negative consequences to the state’s delicate gaming industry.” As it stands now, the tribes have asked that the bill stalls until the state studies the effects of legalizing sports betting in other states.

A Thriving Market for Offshore Sports Betting

Charitable Gambling In Minnesota

Sports betting enthusiasts in Minnesota will have to wait a bit longer for the state to legalize sports betting. However, this doesn’t mean that they still cannot wager on their favorite teams and games. The truth is that sports betting has been going on all this time, thanks to offshore sports betting sites.

The law in Minnesota doesn’t say anything about betting through offshore sites. Most importantly, it doesn’t outlaw it – and neither does it allow it. As such, anyone can bet on an offshore sportsbook.

Minnesotans have a wide range of offshore sportsbooks to choose from – as many as there are on the internet. However, it is recommendable to limit your options to reputable brands, and most preferably those already operating in other states where sports betting is legal. This is because many offshore sportsbooks are unscrupulous and will unfairly deny you your winnings – some will even go as far as exploiting your private details, such as your banking information.

Offshore sportsbooks are not bound by the country’s laws on gambling. To this end, many offer a robust range of sports betting options, including games by teams from all over the world. The standard range of sports categories on most of these sportsbooks includes:

These categories also cover all of America’s favorite sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, WNBA, and a wide range of collegiate leagues and games. The betting options under each game and category as also diverse, including totals, overs, under, money lines, propositions, in-game bets, and more.

Other Forms of Legal Gambling in Minnesota

Sports betting may still be illegal in Minnesota, but the state has one of the biggest gambling markets in the country. Legal gambling options include:

Casino Gambling

There are 19 Indian Tribal casinos in Minnesota. Most of these are located in the North while the rest are distributed across the central and southern regions of the state. They all offer a wide range of casino games, including thousands of slot games and all variations of table games, including cards, dive, and balls.

The largest casino in Minnesota is Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, which offers more than 100 tables and 4,000 slot machines. The legal age for gambling at a casino is at least 18 years old.

Poker

Poker is one of the most popular gambling options across Minnesota. Poker games are offered at multiple designated gambling facilities, including casinos, racetracks, at charity events, and socially through private tournaments.

Racing

Horse and dog racing are also fair play in Minnesota’s gambling industry. However, there are only two tracks in the state: Canterbury Park (located in Shakopee), and Running Aces (located in Columbus). It is also worth noting that there is a strict ban on off-track racing.

Lottery

Lottery is one of the biggest and most popular forms of gambling in the state with an annual revenue of more than $500 million. The law allows for several lottery options, including Mega Millions and Powerball.

Sports Gambling In Minnesota

Charitable Gambling

Minnesota has one of the friendliest and most robust outlooks on charitable gambling. The state relies on this practice to raise money for charitable causes – charitable gambling raised as much as $1.5 billion in 2016 alone, according to a report in the Star Tribune. Some of the events allowed under charitable gambling include lottery, bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and a wide range of casino games.

Gambling Town In Minnesota

Social Gambling

Gambling amongst family and friends is not a crime, but the law regulating it is very strict. For example, social gambling is restricted to a range of skill-based games, and the law restricts the host from profiting in any way.

FAQ

There is no definite schedule or date for when sports betting will become legal in Minnesota. The timeline will depend on the discussions between the Indian Tribes and pro-sports betting groups. However, the outlook is generally optimistic!

No, it is unlikely that you will get into trouble for betting on an offshore sportsbook but we do not recommend it. We advise you to choose legal betting options that are legal and regulated. By doing so you make sure you gamble in a secure and safe environment.

The minimum age for gambling in Minnesota is 18 years old. However, minors can engage in some of the less-pronounced forms of gambling, such as social and charitable gambling.