Minnesota Sports Betting 2026: Legal Status & MN Sportsbooks
NOT LEGAL
Minnesota sports betting isn’t legal right now, but lawmakers are making another push that could lead to retail and mobile sportsbooks by late 2026. Find other top options here.
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Last Updated: 17 December, 2025
No. Minnesota has not legalized sports betting yet.
Lawmakers have introduced bills every year since 2019, but none have passed.
The latest effort, Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0, is still under review as of mid-2025.
Key debates continue over whether racetracks or only tribal casinos will control the market.
Key facts of Minnesota betting
How do I gamble in Minnesota?
While sports betting isn’t legal in Minnesota yet, there are a few gambling options that are fully allowed under state law.
These include daily fantasy sports, online horse race betting, and casino gaming at tribal venues.
Social sportsbooks are also legal and offer a risk-free way to enjoy betting-style gameplay.
Daily fantasy sports in Minnesota
DFS is legal in Minnesota, with platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks operating in the state.
Players can enter contests and win cash prizes based on real-world player performance.
DFS has been treated as a game of skill under Minnesota law, allowing it to remain available.
Other legal gambling options
Minnesota has 19 tribal casinos offering slots, poker, blackjack, and bingo.
Horse racing is legal at Canterbury Park and Running Aces, with pari-mutuel wagering on-site and online through sites like TVG and TwinSpires.
The Minnesota Lottery is also legal, with tickets available statewide and via third-party apps like Jackpocket.
Legal social sportsbooks, including Fliff, are available and use virtual currency instead of real cash.
The minimum gambling age in Minnesota is 18 for tribal casinos, horse racing, and lottery games.
However, most sportsbooks and DFS platforms, including DraftKings and FanDuel, require users to be 21 or older to sign up.
If Minnesota legalizes sports betting, the state will likely set the minimum age at 21, in line with other regulated markets.
Can I bet on sports in another state?
Yes, Minnesota residents can place legal sports bets by traveling to a nearby state where betting is allowed.
You must be physically located in a legal state to place a bet; apps use geolocation to enforce this.
Placing a bet from inside Minnesota, even through a licensed out-of-state sportsbook, is not legal.
Nearby options include:
Iowa: Fully legal online and retail sports betting sites with remote registration.
South Dakota: Retail-only sportsbooks are available in Deadwood casinos.
North Dakota: Limited retail sports betting through tribal casinos.
Wisconsin: Retail betting is allowed at a small number of tribal-run sportsbooks.
Crossing state lines gives Minnesota residents legal access until local laws change.
Betting sites to avoid
Because sports betting isn’t yet legal in Minnesota, some residents may turn to offshore sportsbooks that claim to accept US players.
These sites operate without U.S. oversight, meaning you have no legal protection if they refuse to pay or close your account.
Even well-known offshore brands can delay withdrawals, block accounts, or change terms with no warning.
⚠️ Offshore sites may look legit but carry serious financial and security risks. Stick with legal, regulated sportsbooks once they launch in Minnesota. ⚠️
Pros and cons of sports betting in Minnesota
Pros
- ✅ Strong tribal casino network could support launch
- ✅ Legalization could bring millions in tax revenue
Cons
- ❌ Ongoing disputes between tribes and racetracks
- ❌ No legal options for sports betting yet exist
Latest sports betting updates in Minnesota
The future of sports betting in Minnesota
Minnesota has tried for years to legalize sports betting, but progress has been slow and uncertain.
The latest bill, Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0, would allow up to 11 licenses for tribal operators, with a 20% tax rate.
While tribal leaders support exclusive control, racetracks like Canterbury Park and Running Aces want access too.
This conflict has stalled past bills and remains a major hurdle.
If lawmakers find a middle ground in 2025, Minnesota could see legal sportsbooks launch by the end of the year.
The path depends on resolving disputes over market access, tax policy, and betting restrictions, especially on college sports and in-play wagers.
Our take: Legalization is possible by late 2025, but only if tribes and racetracks can agree on shared benefits or compromise on exclusivity.
Other types of legal betting in Minnesota
While sports betting isn’t legal in Minnesota, a few other types of gambling are allowed under current state law.
These include tribal casino gaming, online horse racing, charitable gambling, and daily fantasy sports.
Horse racing
Horse racing is fully legal in Minnesota.
You can bet in person at Canterbury Park or Running Aces, the state’s two licensed tracks.
Both offer live racing and simulcast wagering on out-of-state events.
Online betting is also allowed through platforms like TVG and TwinSpires.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is legal in Minnesota and widely available through apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks.
These platforms offer paid contests and free games based on real player stats.
DFS is treated as a skill-based game under state law and faces no active restrictions.
It’s one of the few legal ways to wager on sports-related outcomes in Minnesota.
Pari-mutuel wagering
Pari-mutuel betting is used for horse racing in Minnesota.
This system pools all bets together, and payouts depend on total wagering volume.
Available at live events and online, it’s one of the state’s oldest legal gambling forms.
You won’t find pari-mutuel betting on sports, just horse races.
Charitable bingo and raffles
Minnesota allows licensed charitable gambling, including bingo, raffles, and pull tabs.
These games must be run by nonprofits and are regulated by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.
Many are offered in bars, veterans clubs, and community centers.
Online versions are not permitted under current state law.
Yes, social sportsbooks are legal and accessible in Minnesota.
Platforms like Fliff and Chalkboard let users make sports picks using virtual coins or sweepstakes entries.
Because they don’t involve real-money betting, they’re not regulated under gambling law.
Fliff offers both play-for-fun and prize-based models, while Chalkboard focuses on social chat and tracking.
These platforms are available via mobile app or desktop and do not violate Minnesota law.
They provide a safe, legal way to engage with sports betting-style games while waiting for full legalization.
How to start betting in Minnesota
While some guides may suggest you can already bet on sports in Minnesota, you can’t, and we’ll only show you legal, real ways to gamble, which may not involve sports betting just yet.
Daily fantasy sports
DFS is one of the easiest legal ways to play in Minnesota.
Apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks let you pick player lineups and enter contests for cash prizes.
These games are based on skill, not chance, which keeps them legal under state law.
DFS covers sports like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and even eSports, perfect for year-round action.
Online horse race betting
Minnesotans can legally bet on horse races from home.
Sites like TVG and TwinSpires offer pari-mutuel wagering on races across the US.
Sign up online, make a deposit, and place bets on thoroughbred and harness races.
You can also stream the action and use bonus offers tied to big events like the Kentucky Derby.
Charitable gambling
Charitable gambling is popular and widely available in Minnesota.
You’ll find bingo, raffles, pull-tabs, and tipboards offered in bars and veterans clubs.
All games must be run by licensed nonprofits and are closely regulated.
It’s a fun way to support local causes while enjoying a legal form of gambling.
Social sportsbooks
Platforms like Fliff and Chalkboard let you bet with virtual coins instead of real money.
They mimic sportsbook features like odds, picks, and live scores, but don’t involve cash.
Some offer sweepstakes-based rewards you can redeem for prizes.
These sites are fully legal in Minnesota and a good way to enjoy sports picks without the risk.
Crossing state lines to bet legally
If you want to bet on sports for real money, you’ll need to visit a state where it’s legal. Iowa is the closest option for full online and retail betting.
You can sign up, deposit, and place bets from your phone while inside Iowa borders.
Other nearby states like South Dakota and North Dakota offer limited retail betting only.
Daily fantasy sports in Minnesota
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are fully legal in Minnesota, giving residents one of the few ways to legally play real-money, sports-related games online.
1. DraftKings
DraftKings is one of the most trusted and widely used DFS platforms in the U.S.
Minnesota users can draft lineups across all major sports, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and PGA.
The site offers beginner contests, head-to-heads, and big-money GPPs.
Live scoring and lineup alerts help you stay competitive throughout each contest.
Daily promos and free entries are also available for active players.
Top features
Huge prize pools and contests
Beginner-only games available
Quick lineup building
Live scoring with updates
Integrates easily with the sports betting app (when legal)
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Trusted name in DFS
- ✅ Strong contest variety
Cons
- ❌ High entry fees for big tournaments
- ❌ App can feel overwhelming to new users
Read our expert DraftKings review.
2. FanDuel
FanDuel has deep roots in Minnesota through years of DFS availability.
Players can enter contests for major leagues, plus niche sports like the WNBA and NASCAR.
The platform’s clean design makes navigation simple, especially on mobile.
Same-game slates and quick-entry formats help users jump into action fast.
Fast payouts and flexible withdrawal options make it a user favorite.
Top features
Same-game DFS formats
Beginner-friendly lobby filters
Sleek mobile app
Live support and tutorials
Regular promotions for loyal users
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Smooth, user-friendly experience
- ✅ Fast and secure withdrawals
Cons
- ❌ Fewer contests for non-major sports
- ❌ Occasional contest caps during peak events
Read our expert FanDuel review.
3. PrizePicks
PrizePicks takes a different approach to DFS—there’s no drafting.
Instead, players pick over/under stat lines for 2–6 athletes and try to beat the projections.
It’s fast, beginner-friendly, and ideal for fans who enjoy prop-style plays.
Minnesota users love the easy learning curve and flexible entry levels.
You can play daily across dozens of sports and mix multiple leagues in one entry.
Top features
No drafts, just pick stat projections
Easy-to-understand format
Supports major and niche sports
Fast results and simple payouts
Frequent deposit match bonuses
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✅ Great for casual users
- ✅ Clean and quick gameplay
Cons
- ❌ Lower payouts than GPPs
- ❌ Fewer strategy options for pros
Types of bets in Minnesota
Minnesota doesn't allow real-money sports betting yet, but once legal, here are the main types of bets you can expect to see:
Moneyline: A bet on which team will win the game, no point spreads involved. It’s the simplest bet for beginners.
Point spread: You bet on whether a team will win or lose by a set number of points. It's popular for close matchups.
Over/under: Also called totals. You’re betting on whether the final score goes over or under a set number.
Futures: These are long-term bets, like who will win the Super Bowl or the next NBA MVP.
Parlays: A single bet combining two or more picks. All must win for the bet to pay out, but payouts are bigger.
Prop bets: Wagers on player stats or specific events in a game, like the first touchdown scorer.
Live betting: You can bet on games as they happen, with odds that change in real time.
Responsible gambling in Minnesota
Minnesota doesn’t yet offer legal sports betting, but responsible gambling still matters.
Whether you're playing daily fantasy sports, using social sportsbooks, or visiting a casino, it’s important to stay in control. Gambling should be fun, not a source of stress or harm.
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, these Minnesota-specific and national resources can help:
Minnesota resources
Minnesota Department of Human Services: https://mn.gov/dhs
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling: https://mnapg.org/
Call the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-333-HOPE (4673)
National organizations
National Council on Problem Gambling: https://www.ncpgambling.org
Gamblers Anonymous: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org
1-800-GAMBLER (available 24/7)
Warning signs of a problem include: Spending more money or time than intended, lying about gambling habits, or gambling to escape problems.
If you notice these signs, reach out for help early.
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