Minnesota sports betting is on the way. Rep. Zack Stephenson has made is clear that he’s willing to sponsor a bill in 2022 although it is more likely to be 2023 before there is progress made on this. Assuming he can get support from the state’s tribal gaming entities, the odds are that a new law will pass in the near future.
In anticipation of this happening, we’ve put together a complete guide to sports betting in Minnesota. So, if you’re eager to know what’s possible, what’s likely, and when things could happen, scroll down for our preview of sports betting in MN.
Current Minnesota Sports Wagering Status: | Not Live |
Minnesota Online Sports Betting Launch: | 2023 |
Pre-Live Minnesota Betting Offers: | N/A |
Betting Options / Types of Wagering: | Pre-event, in-play, moneyline, totals, parlays, props, and more |
Sports Wagering to be Offered: | Retail and online [expected] |
Expected Minnesota Betting Apps: | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sports, WynnBet |
Legal Minnesota Sports you can bet on: | TBD |
Legal Sports Betting Age in Minnesota: | 21 and over |
No. of licences to be issued: | TBD |
Regulator: | Minnesota Indian Gaming Association |
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota were given a boost in December 2021 thanks to Rep. Zack Stephenson. After previously dismissing previous efforts to regulate the industry, he finally conceded that making Minnesota a sports betting state would be worth it.
He pledged to sponsor a sports betting bill in 2022. Although he’s yet to draw up the bill, he will support legalization of the industry. This, in tandem with news that the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association is warming to the idea of regulated online sports betting, with 2022 come and gone this means we could see a law passed in 2023.
Minnesota has dragged its heels with regards to sports betting legislation since 2018. Although there has been interest, an air of trepidation has prevented any bills from making it through the legislative process.
There weren’t any Minnesota sports betting bills in the offing at the start of 2022, but momentum is building. After years of disputes between tribes and supporters of regulated sports betting, the tide turned at the end of 2021. Therefore, with the help of Rep. Zack Stephenson, we could see things change in the near future.
Sports betting isn’t legal in Minnesota yet, but that doesn’t mean you can gamble. Casino gaming is legal as well as horse racing but playing at a real money online casino Minnesota is still not possible. Therefore, you can visit tribal venues and race tracks if you fancy playing the odds. Drafting for fantasy sites isn’t technically legal but there is no law against it.
State Sen. Jeremy Miller plans to introduce legislation legalizing sports betting in the state. Miller's proposal would see tribes hold a monopoly on mobile betting, but commercial racetracks and professional sports teams would be able to offer retail betting alongside the state's tribal casinos.
Five sports betting bills were introduced in 2021, but none made it out of the gate. Old concerns remained in place until the end of the year. But, by December 2021, tribes had warmed to the idea of regulated betting and Rep. Zack Stephenson had confirmed his support for the industry.
The Minnesota legislative process is such that bills introduced in odd years carry over to even years. This meant the bills submitted by Chamberlain and Garofalo were still on the docket in 2020. Even with an update requiring in-person registration for mobile apps, tribes still argued that sports betting would harm their gaming businesses.
Minnesota’s efforts to regulate sports betting started in 2019, a year after PASPA fell. A senate bill introduced by Sen. Roger Chamberlain aimed to give tribal casinos and racinos the ability to offer retail and on-premises mobile sports betting.
Chamberlain’s efforts fell by the wayside due to resistance from the Indian Gaming Association. Rep. Pat Garofalo tried to appease these concerns by introducing House Bill 1278. This limited sports betting to tribal casinos, but even this didn’t convince opponents.
You can’t legally bet on sports such as football and basketball in Minnesota right now. But there are other options.
Minnesota is similar in size to Colorado with a population of just over 5.5 million. Based on what Colorado sports betting operators take, we expect monthly revenue in Minnesota to be upwards of $25 million in the early stages. In terms of tax, previous bills have sought to set tax rates of between 6% and 8%. However, this could change if a new bill is passed in 2023.
You can’t legally bet on sports right now, we’re still waiting on that. However, you can bet on horse racing in Minnesota. Using the Twinspires Racebook or the TVG app - both of which are available to download and bet at within state lines.
Alternatively, you can place a wager in person at Canterbury Park or Running Aces Casino and Racetrack. Both of these tracks are regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission and are entirely safe and legal.
Aside from that, you can also visit either brick-and-mortar betting locations or online casino games sites in the state.
There are 20 casinos that could offer sports betting in MN:
Here are five top-rated online and mobile betting apps that could take Minnesota by storm:
As part of Roar Digital, alongside GVC Holdings, BetMGM Sports has become one of the leading online betting operators in the US. It not only covers more sports than its peers, it offers innovative features such as live streaming, statistics, and early cashouts.
Caesars Sports is a major contender using their reputation to make it big in sports. As well as a loyalty scheme and generous promotions, Caesars Sports also offers a home for high rollers wanting bigger betting limits.
This operator already has a presence in Minnesota, so it’s an established and trusted brand. As well as fantasy sports, the DraftKings betting site will also offer odds on every major sport, has betting pools, and gives new customers up to $1,000.
WynnBet is big on bonuses. In fact, in addition to offering plenty of odds and online casino games, this operator is best known for its promotions. From its $1,000 welcome bonus and Wynn Weekends to in-play offers and NBA parlays, this operator has something for everyone. Check our WynnBET Sportsbook Review to get the best insight into their promotions and bonuses in Minnesota.
FanDuel Sports, like DraftKings, already has a presence in Minnesota. If it launches a sports betting app in the state, you’ll get access to safe deposits, odds for over 15 different sports, same game parlays, live streaming, and much more.
Looking forward to legalized online sports wagering in Minnesota? Here’s what you could expect to see at the first mobile betting platforms:
Live streaming is a nice accompaniment to online sports betting, but not all operators have it. So join top providers like BetMGM who you know offer this service, if this is what you’re looking for. You can find live events currently in progress, and watch them play out in real-time while betting live.
This isn’t possible for every sports event. However, you’ll typically be able to watch football, basketball, soccer, and other major sports. The final thing to note is that, in general, you have to place a bet on the event in question to activate the stream. So, while the service is free, you do need to show some commitment to a game if you want to watch it.
How do you choose the best mobile betting app in Minnesota? Well, personal preference will always take precedent. However, you can apply some structure to your decision-making process by considering the following factors:
Does the sportsbook promos and, if so, do they focus on your favorite sports? Additionally, make sure you check the terms and conditions. If the effort required to release a reward is too great, then it’s not worthwhile.
As a standard, you should expect to see every major US sport covered, as well as international soccer, tennis, boxing, and golf. We also like to see niche sports like darts, Aussie rules, and table tennis offered.
You can use instant-play software or download an app for your iOS or Android device. Online and sports betting apps are available for all devices.
Pre-event and live betting should come as standard, as should moneyline, totals, and points bets. You should also be able to make parlays and props.
Sports betting is a competitive business and the state’s leading brands will all offer new and existing customers something extra. We might also see pre-launch bonuses at certain sites. For example, we know that Betfred is offering a $150 bonus bet pre-live bonus in Louisiana. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you can get some extra value by registering early.
Every licensed sports betting apps in Minnesota will offer a sign-up incentive for new customers. These offers will vary from operator to operator. However, the most likely welcome bonuses will be bonus bets, deposit bonuses, and bet match promos.
Sports wagering is all about embracing the moment, which is why Minnesota betting sites will run special promotions for current events. From the Super Bowl to March Madness, you’ll be able to get enhanced odds, bonus bets, bonus credits, and more for the most popular sporting events.
Loyalty programs aren’t a complete novelty in sports betting. BetMGM and DraftKings have reward schemes that allow you to earn points and unlock bonus bets, bonus credits, and more.
Any sports betting bill that passes in Minnesota will outline what you can and can’t bet on. Certain states prohibit betting on college sports and/or events involving local college teams. Others don’t have any restrictions. As a general rule, you can expect licensed Minnesota mobile betting sites to offer odds on the popular US and international sports, including:
Assuming that legal sports betting in MN doesn’t come with any live betting restrictions or a ban on things such as college sports, you can expect to see the following markets:
A law was almost passed in 2018, but fell by the wayside and, at the end of 2021, nothing had taken its place. So, as of right now, Daily Fantasy Sports sites aren’t regulated in Minnesota - but they are also not classed as illegal. This means you can use DraftKings and FanDuel if you’re in Minnesota, even though lawmakers are yet to license them.
Yes. Horse racing is legal in Minnesota, which means you can already enjoy legal sports betting in the state. There are two tracks, Canterbury Park and Running Aces Casino and Racetrack, both of which are regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission. Local racing fans can also bet online via their computers and mobiles thanks to TVG, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica.
Minnesota is home to no less than eight professional male sports teams and six female teams. We won’t cover them all in detail, but Minnesota has a presence in the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, and Major League Soccer. Not only that, the state has a professional eSports team, and an ultimate Frisbee team called Minnesota Wind Chill.
The Vikings were initially founded as an expansion team in 1961 but, since then, they’ve gone on to become a highly rated NFL franchise. In fact, based on a record of 516 wins, 442 losses, and 11 draws, the Vikings are one of the highest-rated teams never to win the Super Bowl. In fact, they’ve also appeared in more divisional finals and had more playoff runs than any team not to win the Super Bowl.
We've compiled a list of the best NFL betting sites for Vikings fans.
Minnesota Wild became the state’s NHL representative in 2000. Although the franchise was actually founded in 1997, it took three years for everything to fall into place and Wild to fill the void left by the North Stars who moved to Dallas in 1993. Despite being a relative newbie in NHL terms, Minnesota Wild won a divisional title in 2007-2008. In fact, that team broke numerous franchise records that season, including most goals scored.
The franchise was actually founded in Washington D.C. back in 1901, but it became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. The Twins initially dominated the West Division, winning four titles, before winning the Central Division eight times between 2000 and 2021. Finally, the Twins have won three World Series titles (as of 2021).
Based in Saint Paul and founded in 2017, Minnesota United do their bidding in the MLS. Although they’re yet to win anything of note (as of 2021), they have gone deep in a number of tournaments, including the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020. With a strong community spirit, MNUFC are always fun to support.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were founded as an expansion team in 1989. They struggled initially, but eventually found their stride after drafting Kevin Garnett in 1995. That signing resulted in the Timberwolves making eight consecutive playoff finals between 1997 and 2004. As of 2021, Minnesota’s finest still hadn’t won an NBA title, but they remain a force in the league.
Bet on NBA Here
Minnesota isn’t just a sporting state for men. Local women’s teams are also a force on the national scene, and few are a fierce as Minnesota Lynx. Founded in 1999, this basketball franchise is among the most successful in WNBA history. As of 2021, the Lynx had qualified for 12 WNBA playoffs in 21 seasons. Not only that, they’ve won the WNBA title four times (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017). That was a record and the reason you can never count out Minnesota Lynx.
You may have been waiting since 2018 for a sports betting bill to pass, but don’t give up hope. The wheels of change are in motion, so stay the course and don’t get tempted to try unregulated, offshore sportsbooks.
These sites aren’t always beholden to a gambling authority, they’re not based in the US, and they don’t have to follow strict guidelines. Put simply, it’s a bad idea to use unlicensed betting sites. Here are a few more reasons not to skirt around the law and go offshore:
Any sports betting bill that gets signed into law will probably look similar to what New Jersey has in place. New Jersey was the first state to offer regulated sports betting after the fall of PASPA and it’s still one of the most buoyant markets in the US.
In practice, this means any betting bill will make provisions for pre-event and in-play bets. It will also allow betting on all sports, including college games. However, where Minnesota might differ slightly from most states is the fact it already offers horse racing. What’s more, tribes will almost certainly have a large stake in the industry.
Minnesota is yet to legalize sports betting, but plenty of other states in the US offer these services. Below is a list of places where you can legally bet on sport in the US:
Note: Tribal casinos in North Carolina and New Mexico also offer sports betting, but there aren’t any statewide regulations in place.
New York online betting is set to go live any day before the Super Bowl.
Minnesota betting operators will be required by law to provide responsible gambling tools. Now, we’re not saying they wouldn’t look out for your safety if it wasn’t for the regulations. However, it’s common to see sports betting laws specifically state that operators have to provide tools, advice, and support to those in need.
As such, you’ll be given links and contact details for local problem gambling organizations via any licensed sportsbook in Minnesota. You’ll also be able to access a variety of tools that can help you control your betting habits. These tools include:
No, not yet. However, there is a strong chance that Minnesota will legalize sports betting in 2023.
Not at the moment, but there are efforts to make retail sports betting and mobile wagering legal in Minnesota at some point in the near future.
No. You can access FanDuel Daily Fantasy Sports in Minnesota, but it's worth noting that it's, currently, an unregulated market.
Not right now. However, many industry experts believe that sports betting legislation will be passed in Minnesota in 2023.
You can't bet on sports in Minnesota right now. However, once online and mobile betting are regulated, you can expect to see brands such as DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars go live in the Land of 100,000 Lakes.
When sports wagering is legal in Minnesota, you'll be able to bet on football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer, and many more sports. Additionally, it's worth noting that horse racing is already legal in the state.
Yes, if you count horse racing. There are 18 tribal casinos in Minnesota and none of these offer full sports betting, yet. However, the state is also home to two racinos that offer in-person and simulcast betting on horse racing events.