Gambling in Minnesota

Minnesota

While Minnesota is widely known by its nickname of ‘Land-of-10 000-Lakes’ gambling in Minnesota feels occasionally like it offers just as many betting options for its residents and many visitors. Other than being the number one state in the nation for charitable gambling, the state offers more than 20 Tribal Casinos, Poker Rooms, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), Horse Racing and a State Lottery.

Minnesota online sports betting is still under debate at this time. It appears just a matter of time for Minnesota to go through the legislative processes of the State Legislature and finalize a legalization of land-based and online sports betting in the next 12-18 months.

Minnesota Casino Gambling

Gambling laws in Minnesota clearly allow for bricks-and-mortar land-based Tribal casinos on First American lands. Private parties and the state cannot operate casinos in the state.

Minnesota’s more-than 20 Tribal casinos offer slots, blackjack, baccarat, poker and video gaming machines. In total, you’ll find more than 22 500 slots and gaming machines available at Minnesota’s casinos and almost 300 table games.

It’s worthwhile to note that Minnesota’s casinos that serve alcohol have a minimum legal gambling age of 21, whilst those casinos that choose not to make alcohol available to its patrons have a minimum gambling age of 18.

Online Casinos in Minnesota

Gambling online with casino games is not yet legal in Minnesota. The state will need to enact online gambling laws and draft legislation to authorize the leisure activity. Legislators will also need to create some sort of regulatory system to ensure the safety and security of players and gaming operators in the state.

For now, State lawmakers haven’t had the opportunity to address the legality of online casino games and create online casino laws.

Which Online Casinos Are legal in Minnesota and Which are Not?

Until State lawmakers in Minnesota the address the legality of online casino games and create online casino laws;

Online players in the state of Minnesota should avoid playing ANY online casinos (both U.S-based online-casinos and off-shore online casinos) until a legalization of online casinos occurs in the state.

For players in Minnesota wishing to gamble online until the topic of online casinos has been addressed can;

  • Play the state’s excellent State Lottery (available online).
  • Take part in legal online DFS competitions.
  • Place wagers through fully legal horse and greyhound racing websites.

Poker in Minnesota

Live Poker in Minnesota (available at some tribal casinos and racetracks), and unlicensed ‘Home’ Poker games and other forms of unlicensed games are played widely.

Minnesota has more lenient than average social poker laws. Private home tournaments can be held so long as the host isn’t profiting (either directly or indirectly) on the betting action. The main stipulation of Minnesota’s social gaming law is that no individual can win more than $200 in a given day.

Poker can also be played in Minnesota through charity-based tournaments. As per the home and social games law, prizes must be capped to avoid violating the North Star State’s gambling laws.

Poker Rooms

Live Poker in Minnesota is conducted in some of the states Tribal Casinos, and both of the state’s racetracks feature live poker along with other table games.

Online Poker Laws

Currently, Minnesota’s online players are unable to play Poker online, however, as there are no specific laws written on the subject. The assumption is that online poker is illegal. We will advise you of any potential change in the status of legal online poker change in Minnesota.

The state’s potential online gamblers can, however, place wagers online for the Minnesota State Lottery, DFS competitions and horse and greyhound racing.

Benefits of Legal Gambling to Minnesota

As previously mentioned, Minnesota is the number one state in the nation when it comes to Charitable Gambling. Much of the almost $2 billion annually raised from charitable gambling including raffles, bingo, pull-tabs goes to;

  • Welfare organizations.
  • New entrepreneur’s self-help organizations.
  • Sporting Clubs.
  • Low cost Kindergartens and Day-Care.
  • Veterans Assistance Funds.
  • Sports Stadium Development.
  • Employment Assistance Programs and;
  • Organizations for Kids in Need.

Given the predominance of Tribal Casinos within the Minnesota gambling sector, Native Americans benefit more so in the North Star State than elsewhere with;

  • Job creation.
  • Economic Growth.
  • Rediscovering Tribal Culture through strong Tribal Government.
  • Bringing prosperity to rural Minnesota.
  • Tribes purchase more than $717 million in goods-and-services annually, including more than $482 million from Minnesota businesses.
  • Tribal casinos attract almost 23 million visitors annually.

History of Online & Land-Based Gambling in Minnesota

1945; Charitable Gambling (Bingo at first) legalized in Minnesota.

1947; Anti-slot machine law enacted.

1972; State Lottery begins in Minnesota.

1978; Paddlewheels, raffles and tip-boards legalized for charitable gaming purposes. Pull-tabs would be added in 1981.

1981; Federal Court allows Minnesota tribes to operate bingo.

1982; Horse racing legalized in Minnesota.

1983; Minnesota Racing Commission created.

1986; Video Gaming Machines appear in Tribal Casinos. Blackjack and other table games added in 1991.

1999; Live poker and other card games first offered at Minnesota racetracks.

2012; Electronic gambling devices allowed in football stadiums to fund stadium development.

Visit Our Page on Minnesota’s Online Sports Betting Laws for Our list of the top online sportsbooks in Minnesota

  1. Sports Betting
  2. Minnesota Online Sports Betting
  3. Gambling in Minnesota
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