Minnesota Sports Betting
Minnesota sports betting is not legal. Lawmakers have expressed interest in legalizing it for the past few years, but another attempt in 2024 fell short.
Proponents of legal betting will now have to wait until at least 2025 for another attempt at legalization, as lawmakers have had trouble appeasing all the stakeholders involved.
Stay tuned and read below for the latest Minnesota sports betting news and information.
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Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
No. Right now, there is no legal sports betting in Minnesota. Bettors in the state now have to wait until at least 2025 for new legislation, as the 2024 legislative session ended on May 20 without any successful bills.
The future of Minnesota sports betting
2023’s attempt to legalize sports betting failed as the Democrat-Labor-Famer Party decided to focus on other issues despite the party having control of the state Senate and House. Despite the support of the tribes and many legislators, consensus proved elusive, and issues such as a failure to find a deal with horse racing tracks in the state proved too difficult to overcome.
There was more optimism entering 2024. Rep. Zack Stephenson led the charge with the tribes on his side and the Republicans and horse racing tracks on the other. Sports teams in the state have also been in favor of legalization.
However, the two sides could not reach a consensus despite reports of progress that satisfied all stakeholders in the final hours of the legislative session. New sports betting legislation will now have to wait until at least 2025 to be introduced, and all 134 seats in the DLF-controlled House are up for reelection in November.
Stephenson’s legislation would have given the 11 tribes in the state sports betting licenses while creating a 20% tax on revenue. His bills have also set aside sports betting revenue for horse racing tracks in the state.
What’s happening in Minnesota sports betting right now
- Oct. 17, 2024 — At the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, Minnesota Indian Gaming Association executive director Andy Platto said stakeholders in Minnesota have agreed on the framework of sports betting legislation but that he is still concerned about having the votes to pass it.
- Aug. 27, 2024 — Minnesota tribal leaders reportedly believe Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would favor pro-tribe gaming policies if she becomes the new governor following a Harris-Walz win in the 2024 Presidential election.
- May 21, 2024 — Minnesota sports betting legislation failed once again as the legislative session ended on May 20 without passing any new sports betting bills.
- May 10, 2024 — Minnesota Rep. Zack Stephenson puts language from sports betting bill HF 2000 into new legislation, HF 5274, in another attempt to pass legislation before the end of the legislative session on May 20.
- May 2, 2024 — Multiple Minnesota lawmakers have said they do not expect sports betting legislation to pass the Senate before the legislative session adjourns on May 20.
- April 19, 2024 — A Minnesota horse racing track is suing three tribal casinos under accusations of violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through illegal card games. The lawsuit is a hit to the pursuit of legal sports betting in the state.
- April 5, 2024 — Minnesota Sen. John Marty files a new Minnesota sports betting bill, SF 5330. The new bill is similar to the two other active sports betting bills but would raise the tax rate to 40% instead of the proposed 20% in the other bills.
Sports betting apps that could launch in Minnesota
We can make an educated guess that a future of legal sports betting in Minnesota would likely include a combination of the usual top sportsbooks and brands already in the region.
We also know that the sports betting industry in Minnesota, if legalized, would almost certainly be under the exclusive control of the native tribes in the state. Eleven tribes run the 19 casinos in the state, and it is likely that some or all of those casinos would partner with online sports betting platforms.
HF 2000, 2024’s failed bill, would have given control of the industry to the 11 tribes and carry a 10% tax rate (an amended Senate version would have a 20% tax rate).
Given the above information, here are a few potential sportsbooks that could launch in the state upon legalization and begin offering online sports betting promos:
- DraftKings: One of the top sportsbooks in the US, DraftKings is one of the likeliest to launch in Minnesota given the company’s apparent desire to operate in every state that it possibly can. DraftKings also already has a presence in the state via its daily fantasy sports contests. Finally, the company is already partnered with the Wild Rose Casino & Hotel in Emmetsburg, Iowa, near the Minnesota-Iowa border. Many Minnesotans will already be familiar with the brand as they have to travel across state lines to place legal bets.
- FanDuel: Like DraftKings, FanDuel already has an established presence in Minnesota through its DFS offerings. Also like DraftKings, FanDuel operates a sportsbook at a casino near the Minnesota-Iowa border, as the Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood, Iowa, sits right on the border between the two states.
- Caesars: Minnesotans who have traveled south to Iowa to bet on sports may be familiar with the Caesars experience as five casinos in that state have partnered with this sportsbook — more than any other operator in Iowa. Another one of the most popular sportsbooks in the country, Caesars offers a full lineup of promotions, bonuses, and competitive odds in states where it operates.
- BetMGM: One of the biggest names in gambling and sports betting in the US, BetMGM is a logical fit for Minnesota and would likely be attracted to a market with a sizeable population and four major professional sports teams. BetMGM is also known for its deep selection of sports and betting options.
- Betfred: A third casino sits right near the border between Minnesota and Iowa, and it contains a Betfred-run book. There may again be some familiarity for Minnesotans, as Betfred operates two other sportsbooks in Iowa, as well.
How to bet on sports in Minnesota
Legal online betting would give bettors the option to sign up and wager at their preferred sportsbook from the comfort of their home, while retail betting would allow bettors to wager in person at designated locations. Whether either or both options become legal in the future, here’s how to sign up and wager:
1. Pick a sportsbook
Bettors will be able to pick their Minnesota sports betting site based on the best promos or bonuses available, the best odds, customer service, user experience, or a variety of other factors.
2. Register
Registration is a quick and easy process of entering personal information and verifying your location. If Minnesota legalizes online sports betting, users may be able to sign up on their mobile devices from anywhere in the state.
3. Claim a bonus or promo
Claiming a sports betting promo or bonus is the best way to maximize your bankroll when starting out at a new book.
4. Make a deposit
Once you’ve claimed your bonus, you can deposit some funds to wager with. Legal sports betting sites will generally give users multiple options. Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers are common deposit methods.
5. Place your bets
You’ve claimed your bonus and deposited some money; now it’s time to wager. All four of Minnesota’s major pro sports teams will be popular bets for spreads, totals, futures, props, and live betting if wagering on sports becomes legal in the state.
6. Make a withdrawal
Withdrawing funds at Minnesota sports betting sites likely wouldn’t take more than a few business days and in some cases could be quicker.
Minnesota DFS pick’em
DFS is not explicitly legal or illegal in Minnesota, as legislative attempts to legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports have gone nowhere.
However, major daily fantasy sports sites such as PrizePicks, Underdog, Sleeper, DraftKings, and FanDuel operate in this unregulated environment.
In addition, the current House bill seeks to legalize and regulate DFS.
Underdog Minnesota
Underdog is a DFS app with two main categories of contest: draft and pick’em.
Underdog’s pick’em contests require users to select an over/under for a player stat line. Users can either choose the standard over/under for one player (e.g., Justin Jefferson 85.5 receiving yards) or pick between two players, using the same stat with an adjustment (e.g., Jefferson +10.5 receiving yards vs Tyreek Hill).
With draft contests, users pick a team in a snake draft format but do not interact with their team after the draft is over. The app automatically selects the best lineup for each team, and users don’t make trades or transactions of any kind for the entire contest. Contests range from one day to an entire season.
Sleeper Minnesota
Mostly known as a free fantasy sports platform offering NFL- and NBA-based fantasy leagues, Sleeper also provides a pick’em game: Sleeper Picks. Sleeper Picks requires users to get every selection correct to receive a payout. Users select the over/under on between two and eight player stats. The more correct picks, the higher the payout.
Betr Picks Minnesota
Betr Picks contests are essentially the same as Sleeper Picks. All picks must be correct to win, and users pick between two and eight stat lines. The one small difference is that Betr Picks users select “yes” or “no” on whether a player will go OVER the relevant line, whereas Sleeper users select the standard over or under on a line.
Other legal betting options in Minnesota
There are currently no legal sports betting options in Minnesota.
There are offshore websites that offer illegal sports betting in Minnesota. They do not hold a license from any US jurisdiction to legally accept bets from residents and have done so for years in violation of federal law.
Without regulation from the state, these offshore betting apps can’t be counted on to pay out winnings and have been known to disappear with people’s money.
The only safe and regulated way to bet on sports in the United States is to do so at a licensed sportsbook.
There are, however, a few other ways Minnesotans can gamble legally in the state.
Horse racing
Horse racing is legal in Minnesota. The state is home to two racetracks that the Minnesota Racing Commission regulates.
Canterbury Park opened in 1985 as a thoroughbred racetrack with simulcast racing. In 2008, Minnesota added a harness horse track at Running Aces Casino and Racetrack, which features simulcast wagering at the racebook and also offers table games.
Minnesotans can also place online horse bets on races across the country through sites such as FanDuel Racing.
Lottery
The Minnesota Lottery offers the standard menu of lotto games, scratchers, print-n-play games, and raffles. Minnesotans can also participate in national lotteries such as Powerball and Mega Millions.
Most popular sports to bet on in Minnesota
Minnesota has a team in every major sport, and none of them lack support.
NFL betting in Minnesota
The NFL is the most bet-on sport in the US, and the Minnesota Vikings are by far the most popular team in the state.
Even though the Vikings have never won a Super Bowl and haven’t made the big game since the Purple People Eaters of the ’70s, each game brings out raucous fans in Vikings horns chanting “Skol!” The team has its own fight song played after each touchdown, field goal, and safety in an act of pride usually reserved for college sports.
MLB betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Twins hold a special place in the heart of Minnesotans, being the only professional team in the state to win a championship title. Since moving to Minnesota in 1961, the Twins have won the World Series in 1987 and 1991.
The Twins won the American League Central division title in 2019 and 2020 but failed to advance passed the first round of the playoffs in either season.
NBA betting in Minnesota
Minnesota has a long history in the NBA. The Lakers didn’t get their name because Los Angeles is known for its lakes.
The Minneapolis Lakers won five NBA championships before the team moved to Los Angeles in 1960, starting a love affair between Minnesota and basketball.
The Minnesota Timberwolves haven’t been as exciting since their founding in 1989, only winning one division title when led by Kevin Garnett in 2004. However, the Timberwolves have some exciting young players in Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
NHL betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Wild are relatively new to the NHL, entering the league in the year 2000, but they have actually been the most successful sports team in Minnesota over the past decade.
While the Wild don’t have the history of the Vikings or Twins, they have made the playoffs in nine of the last 10 seasons. However, they only won a round in two of those nine appearances.
NCAA betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a history as a football program going back to 1882. The team has won seven national titles, though the last one was 60 years ago.
Coach P.J. Fleck has the team back on the rise with bowl wins in three of the last four seasons. Although the glory years are long gone, Minnesota is a football state, and the Gophers would be a popular bet if wagering on college sports eventually becomes legal.
Minnesota sports betting timeline
2024:
Sports betting legislation is introduced during the 2024 legislative session, including a revived bill from 2023 brought forward by Rep. Zack Stephenson. Some experts believe Minnesota could legalize in 2024.
HF 2000 and SF 1949 work their way through the legislative session with support from many stakeholders.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he would sign a sports betting bill into law if one passes the state Senate and House.
The 2024 legislative session ends without any sports betting bills passing.
2023:
Stephenson’s efforts once again fall short in 2023 as the legislative session comes to an end without a sports betting bill passing. Disputes over including horse racing tracks derail the proposed legislation.
2022:
Stephenson follows through on his promise from late 2021 to lead a sports betting effort through the House. His bill advances through the House but runs into a significant issue in the Senate. The Senate adds an amendment to include two horse racing tracks, which was a deal-breaker for the House.
A separate Senate effort does not move. Lawmakers adjourn the session without agreeing, meaning sports betting will have to wait until at least 2023.
2021:
Five sports betting bills are introduced in Minnesota legislative chambers. None of the bills received a hearing as stakeholders remain at odds.
In late 2021, Stephenson announces his intention to introduce a bill during the 2022 session that appears as though it could have legs for legalization.
2020:
Bills introduced in odd years carry over to even years in Minnesota, meaning the bills from Rep. Pat Garofalo and Sen. Roger Chamberlain are still on the books.
Chamberlain attempts to bring the tribes on board by proposing to amend his bill to require in-person registration for mobile wagering. The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association lets it be known that all 11 tribes still oppose the bill.
The legislature adjourns on May 18 without any movement on Minnesota sports betting legislation.
2019:
Real efforts to legalize and regulate sports betting in Minnesota begin in 2019 with two very different bills in the House and Senate.
The Senate bill from Chamberlain offers sports betting to tribal casinos and the state’s two racetracks, allowing for mobile sports wagering tethered to the existing properties. The tribes oppose the bill.
The House bill, introduced by Garofalo, tries to get tribal support by limiting sports betting to brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. The tribes still oppose the legislation.
Minnesota sports betting FAQ
Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
No. Right now, there are no legal options for sports betting in Minnesota. That could change in the future, as state legislators appear interested in legalizing wagering.
Who would oversee sports betting in Minnesota?
Prior legislation would create a new entity titled the Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission to regulate sports betting.
Is mobile MN sports betting allowed?
Not at the moment. However, newly proposed sports betting legislation is making its way through the Minnesota legislative session.
Who will be able to bet on sports in Minnesota?
The legal gambling age in Minnesota is 21.
There are some sports betting websites that say they accept bets from the United States. Are those legal options?
No. There are currently no sportsbooks that are licensed at the federal level, which means all US sportsbooks are licensed at the state level. Any website that suggests betting from anywhere in the US is allowed is a website that operates offshore. It is not legal for those sites to accept bets from US citizens, and such sites offer no protection to those who bet on them.