Online Casinos Minnesota

Welcome to our page dedicated to various forms of gambling in the state of Minnesota. Learn about the history and current legality of your favorite games. For now, there are no online casinos Minnesota, but we certainly hope the situation changes in the near future. Keep reading to find out more!

  • Minnesota online gambling laws checked by experts
  • Discussion of current Minnesota gambling regulations
  • Future of online casinos in Minnesota
  • 0 Legal Online Casinos
  • 0 Legal Land Based Casinos
  • 0 Legal Social Casinos
  • 0 Legal Bingo / Lottery Games
  • Responsible Gaming
  • Minnesota Gambling Control Board

Minnesota Online Casinos – State Laws

Unfortunately, online casinos in Minnesota are not legal just yet. Minnesota has explicitly criminalized online gambling. Interestingly, they even mention offshore casinos (operating outside of the US) by saying it’s illegal for Minnesotans to gamble there. If you want to check for upcoming changes in the legislature, you can track various upcoming MN bills.

Minnesota online gambling laws – What’s Legal

In terms of online gambling Minnesota does not allow any forms of it. The law is clear and finite. There are no current bills to change the situation either. Sports betting is also illegal in the state, although players can bet on horse races at the track. For now, only tribal casinos are allowed to operate. Minnesotans can also play bingo or buy lottery tickets.

An alternative to online casinos Minnesota can offer are the social casinos. On these sites, players can enjoy the social aspects of the casino games without wagering their hard-earned cash. As there is no real money wagering involved, social casinos are not considered gambling sites and are therefore not illegal.


Minnesota’s History of Gambling

Minnesota has a long and confusing history with gambling. It all started in 1945 when Minnesota legalized charity bingo and now there are around 200 bingo halls in the state. Minnesota also legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse races in the 1980’s, which was decades later than most states.

One reason why Minnesota is hesitant to legalize more types of gambling is because of its tribal casinos. The state made an error on the contract with the Native American tribes, which basically allowed them to open casinos and pay no taxes on them. It’s near impossible to re-negotiate the deal, which made local lawmakers very cautious about gambling.


American Gambling History

Gambling was made illegal on a federal level in 1919 with the ratification of the 18th Amendment. Although the amendment was repealed in 1934, it took many years for gambling to recover. However, in 2018, the Supreme Court allowed for individual states to regulate gambling on their own, which provided a pathway to legalization.

Here are the states which fully legalized gambling:


The Wire Act of 1961 Today

The Wire Act of 1961 made it illegal for businesses to accept wagers from interstate or foreign punters via wire communications. Various legislators believe this act applies to online gambling as well. However, we believe it’s unlikely for the act to affect future Minnesota online gambling laws, as five states already have online industries.


Black Friday 2011

On Friday April 15, 2011, the US government charged PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker with violating online gambling laws, as well as bank fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling. These operators instantly left the US, but some of them returned when multiple states legalized online gambling. It’s possible for them to become part of Minnesota online casinos one day.


The Most Popular Online Casino Games in the US

Despite Minnesota having some of the strictest laws relating to online gambling, there are many Minnesotans who disagree with these policies and who wish to gamble online. While we can’t list the best online Minnesota online casinos , as they are not yet legal, we decided to explore popular online casino games in the US for them. Read the overview of these games in the following sections.

We will tell you what’s unique about these games, so you can be prepared once they become available in real money online casinos Minnesota. Without further due, here are the most popular games in states where online casinos are legal:

Minnesota Online Blackjack

One of the most popular online games in the states is blackjack. Blackjack is a favourite in land-based casinos and statistics show that the same applies to online casinos. What’s more, there are now even unique types of blackjack online.

Once online casinos are legalized, we believe that the most common type of online blackjack in Minnesota would be American Blackjack, also known as Atlantic City Blackjack or Vegas Blackjack. The dealer instantly gets two cards instead of one, which lowers the house edge, and explains why American Blackjack remains the most popular type in the states.

Online Roulette Minnesota

We know for a fact that when online casinos MN finally open, the game of roulette will draw a lot of players in. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how popular roulette as evidenced by the thousands of streamed games from all around the world.

We couldn’t ignore one specific type of roulette – the Multiwheel Roulette. We predict it’d be a common version of online roulette in Minnesota. The game follows the rules of the original – you place a bet and wait for the spin. However, you can choose how many wheels you use, which increases your chances to win, but it also increases your bet.

Online Slots Minnesota

It’s no surprise that online slot made our list. Slot machines experienced a Renaissance once they entered the Internet age. The video slots of today sport gorgeous graphics and have mechanics that are only possible online.

Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen is such a slot, which we suspect would become one of the most played online slots in Minnesota. The game is based on the hit cooking show Hell’s Kitchen and it attempts (very successfully) to be as authentic as possible. It’s voiced by Ramsay himself and it features bonus games such as the Team Challenge free spins games.

Online Poker Minnesota

Ever since Black Friday happened, American poker hasn’t been the same. Some players in the US play poker at legal state casinos, while others play using offshore websites. However, Minnesotans are not allowed to do the latter, which leaves them with the option to play at land-based venues.

If Minnesota online casinos open any time soon though, we are sure that the most popular type of poker would be Texas Hold’ Em. In this game, players are dealt 2 cards, while 5 community cards are laid on the table, and each player attempts to make the best overall combination. Texas Hold’ Em remains an American favorite, which is why we think it’d be the most common type of online poker in Minnesota.

Land-Based Casinos in Minnesota

Land-based casinos are legal in Minnesota. There are 20 tribal casinos, which is a good number for the size of the state. You can find a rich selection of slot machines there, as well as many table games. There are also talks about a commercial casino opening up, and we’ll keep you updated on it.

Minnesota Land-Based Casinos Overview
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert
Black Bear Casino 🍒 1800 slot machines, 🃏 14 table games
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel 🍒 4000 slot machines, 🃏 100 table games
Little Six Casino 🍒 800 slot machines, 🃏 8 table games

Land-Based versus Online Casinos

Legal gambling in Minnesota should be expanded according to the wishes of Minnesotans who want to gamble online. However, when that happens would you prefer an online or a land-based casino? Physical casinos have their undeniable charm – the atmosphere, the free refreshments, you can’t replicate that.

Still, online casinos have other benefits that physical casinos don’t. For once, they offer a greater variety of games, because a casino’s virtual library can constantly expand. Moreover, they offer lucrative bonuses that you can barely find at land-based casinos.


Future of Online Casinos Minnesota

The future of online gambling in Minnesota remains very unclear. Minnesota online gambling laws are some of the strictest in the country as they criminalize the act of betting itself and explicitly ban players from using offshore websites. We advise our Minnesotan readers against gambling online so as to spare them any legal trouble.

Future of Legal Online Gambling in Minnesota

There haven’t been any new developments in Minnesota gambling. The state has still not legalized sports betting, which is considered by some to be the first step towards full legalization. Moreover, the state struck down a Daily Fantasy Sports bill recently, which shows its attitude towards gambling. Unfortunately, it might take a long time to turn things around.


Conclusion: Online Gambling in Minnesota

The likelihood of legalizing online casinos in Minnesota is very, very slim. At its current state, Minnesota has one of the strictest gambling laws in the country. Interestingly though, there are a lot of land-based casinos in the state, so at least there’s that. Minnesotans who wish to play online can only do it at states such as Michigan, which is relatively close to Minnesota.

A full legalization of online gambling in Minnesota is unlikely to occur any time soon.
Fred Williams Author and Casino Expert

FAQs About Online Gambling Minnesota

Thank you for reading our article on the state of gambling in Minnesota! We hope you found the information useful, and we hope to see you again in the future! Below you can find the most frequently asked questions regarding online gambling in Minnesota.

👮 Are Minnesota online casinos legal?
Minnesota online casinos are illegal. What's more, it's even illegal to bet using offshore websites, which is quite uncommon in the states. We predict that Minnesota is a long way from legalizing and opening online casinos, so players are left with the choice to visit a land-based casino or to go to another state.
🤔 Is online sports betting also illegal in Minnesota?
Sports betting is also illegal, because there is no legal online gambling in Minnesota. Considering the latest discussions about gambling in Minnesota, it's unlikely for the state to legalize sports betting in the near future, let alone online sports betting. Your only option is to bet on horses at a physical venue.
📍 How do I spot a fake Minnesota online gambling site?
As already mentioned, Minnesotans are banned from accessing online casinos wherever they are based around the world. We advise you strongly against gambling online in Minnesota. However, if you still do, at least make sure the casino is properly licensed by the country in which it's based. Customer reviews can also help you recognize a fake site.
⚖️ What forms of gambling are legal in Minnesota?
Minnesotans can play legal casino games such as blackjack and poker at one of the 20 land-based casinos in the state. They can also bet on horse races, play bingo, and buy lottery tickets. While this is nothing compared to other states like New Jersey, it's not like gambling is completely banned in Minnesota.