Minnesota Legal Online Sports Betting Guide For 2024
The state of Minnesota, while resonating a pro-gambling atmosphere, does not offer domestic sports betting within its state lines. Offshore sports betting sites are able to legally serve the MN region without violating any federal gambling laws and currently represent the best outlet for Minnesota-based patrons aged 18 or older.
Being able to access legal online sportsbooks for gamblers in Minnesota all boils down to knowing where to place your bets. Location is everything and determines the legality of the bookmaker at which you are betting. This guide will reveal how you can determine the legitimacy of your sports betting action based on where you are betting.
We do this by providing insight into the relevant state and federal laws that regulate betting entertainment in Minnesota and explain their impact on what is available to residents in the state. We also explain where to find licensed and regulated online betting destinations that have been vetted and approved by industry professionals.
18+ Can Legally Bet On Sports In MN Using Offshore Sportsbook Sites
No Domestic Sports Betting Venues In Minnesota At This Time
Best MN Online Sportsbook For 2024
Sports fans in Minnesota who are interested in a legal, high quality online sports betting experience will find that BetOnline Sportsbook delivers precisely that.
Their lines are competitive with the Vegas bookmakers and they offer a substantial selection of betting odds and wagering options that cover American and international sports leagues, events, games and matches.
Along with online access from your computer or laptop, you can also place bets through their mobile sportsbook application, which includes live betting features as well.
They offer a few bonus offers, including a 50% match bonus up to $1,000 and a 25% match bonus every time you reload your account. They have been involved in online gambling for more than 20 years now and are licensed and regulated in Panama City, Panama.
- 50% Bonus Up To $1,000 For New Members
- 25% lifetime reload bonus on all deposits
- Legally licensed and regulated in Panama City, Panama
- Enjoy betting on casino, sportsbook, poker, live dealer games, scratch cards and racebook
- Has been in the online gambling industry since 1991 - a true leader
All USA Sportsbooks That Accept Minnesota Players In 2024
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Rating /5 | U.S. | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.9 |  | Visit Site Review |
| 2 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 4.5 | | Visit Site Review |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $250 | 4.3 | | Visit Site Review |
| 4 |  | 100% Max $2,500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 5 |  | 25% Max $500 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 6 |  | 50% Max $200 | 4.2 | | Visit Site Review |
| 7 |  | 50% Max $500 | 4.1 | | Visit Site Review |
Is Sports Betting Legal In Minnesota As Of 2024?
State-based sports betting is not legal in the state of Minnesota either online or offline. However, this does not mean that residents of the Gopher State are without any options for betting on sports - they just won't be opportunities that are based within their home state.
Offshore sports betting sites are able to accept online wagers from MN-based gamblers aged 18 or older because there are no laws in place that says they cannot. This loophole allows for Minnesota sports bettors to access the best USA sportsbook sites like the ones we link to above without risking their legal status.
Can You Bet Online In Minnesota?
You can, but only with a licensed offshore sportsbook site because domestic sports betting in Minnesota has yet to receive approval from state lawmakers. While the MN legislature sorts that out, the international sports betting sites we include in our sportsbook reviews serve online bettors in Minnesota at the age of 18 right now.
These sites offer betting lines of the Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild, Twins, and more, all via computers and web-ready devices.
How To Bet On Sports In MN Legally
Because there are no domestic sports betting venues located inside or operating within Minnesota, the only legal option for gambling on your favorite teams and players is with a sportsbook site that operates within an offshore gaming district like the ones we link to above.
For now, international sportsbook sites are the only legit avenue to bet on Sports in Minnesota, and we'd recommend them for several reasons even if MN had domestic books in place.
Overseas sports gambling sites allow for cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals, feature tons more betting lines, and can be used even in other states when you're traveling.
Where Can I Place A Sports Bet In Minnesota?
If you are looking for an in-person sportsbook to place a bet at in Minnesota, there are none. No worries, however, as the best USA sports betting sites can handle Minnesota wagers over the web as long as the member is 18 and has some money to risk.
Just click on any online sportsbook link we've provided within this guide and your PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet screen will instantly populate with the latest lines on local, national, and international teams and players competing in all types of amateur and professional sports.
Are There Local Tribal Casinos With Sportsbooks In MN As Of 2024?
While there are several gambling casinos located within Minnesota's borders, none of them feature an in-house sportsbook because regional laws do not allow for them. There has been movement towards legalizing sports betting in MN over the past few sessions, but nothing has made it past the governor's desk thus far.
MN Mobile Friendly Sports Betting Apps
For gamblers that are looking to bet on sports using their iPhone, iPad, or Android device inside MN - you're in luck! Despite the lack of domestic gambling apps in MN, mobile sports betting can take place when using the services of an offshore sportsbook site.
These web-based apps do not require a download - just click on any sportsbook link we've included above and your web-ready device will populate with betting lines from all major sports occurring around the world right at your fingertips.
MN Major Sports Teams To Bet On In 2024
Minnesota is represented by all four major professional sports leagues and also features a significant college athletic presence as well.
Even though all four pro franchises in MN reside within Minneapolis, the teams are designated for the entire state of Minnesota.
Betting On The Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
The Minnesota Vikings franchise began in 1961, and today, the team plays its home games in the US Bank Stadium located in Minneapolis, MN. They compete in the NFC North division and are still on a quest to win their first Super Bowl championship despite appearing in 4 already (1969, 1973, 1974, 1976).
MN-based gamblers that are interested in betting on the NFL will be best served by the online sportsbooks that we feature and link to above. No matter what time of year it is, Minnesota gamblers can bet on the Super Bowl and other NFL outcomes as long as they are 18 and have some money to risk.
Betting On The Minnesota Twins (MLB)
The Minnesota Twins play in the American League's Western Division and have resided in Minneapolis since 1961. The Twins have won three World Series with the last one coming back in 1991.
Regional Major League Baseball fans that want to bet on the Twins can do so from within Minnesota by using any of the offshore sportsbook sites that we've compiled above for the convenience of our readers.
MLB betting for each and every Minnesota Twins game can be done legally online with our top vendors from within MN at the age of 18 or older. Baseball bets are not limited to the Twins, as all MLB teams and games will be a featured component of any overseas sports betting site catering to the Minnesota area.
Betting On The Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
The Minnesota Timberwolves play in the Western Conference inside of the Northwest Division. The T'Wolves first began play in 1989 and have called the Minneapolis area home for their entire history. They've yet to win an NBA Championship but they possess the right combination of a rabid fanbase and active ownership and should hoist a title before long.
Betting on NBA games online is the best option inside of Minnesota as long as readers opt for any of the sportsbook sites that we link to within this guide. This can be done at the age of 18 using laptops, personal computers, smartphones, and tablets from anywhere inside of MN with a connection to the web.
Betting On The Minnesota Wild (NHL)
The Minnesota Wild are the new kids on the block and represent the most recent pro franchise in Minnesota, showing up in 2000. Although they've yet to capture a Stanley Cup, they field competitive squads and continue to build toward becoming a routine winner.
If you are located within Minnesota and are interested in betting on the NHL, look no further than the online sportsbook sites that we've compiled together in the list above. Just click on any link we've provided and your web-ready device will gain access to Wild betting lines, as well as odds for all other NHL teams in play.
Betting On The Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAAF/NCAAB)
The Minnesota Golden Gophers played their first season in 1882 and have been a member of the Big Ten Conference since its inception in 1896. Minnesota claims seven football national championships.
The team gets its name from the state nickname “The Gopher State” in addition to radio announcer Halsey Hall referring to them often as the “Golden Gophers” because of Minnesota wearing gold jerseys and gold pants in the 1930s.
The Golden Gophers play in five rivalry series involving unique trophies: Paul Bunyan’s Axe against Wisconsin, dating back to 1890; Floyd of Rosedale against Iowa, dating back to 1894; Little Brown Jug against Michigan, dating back to 1902; $5-Bits-O-Broken-Chair Trophy against Nebraska, dating back to 1900; and the Governor’s Victory Bell against Penn State, dating back to 1993.
Whether betting on college football or NCAAB gambling, wagers can be placed on the Minnesota Golden Gophers' odds using any of the online sportsbook sites we list above.
Federal Gambling Laws You Should Never Break
Before you get all gung-ho about laying your money down on certain sports inside of Minnesota, let's take a few minutes to discuss the federal regulations that are technically still on the books. As long as you're gambling within the United States, then it doesn't matter in which state you're gambling; you will have to follow federal regulations to ensure that you're not breaking any gambling laws.
There are three main pieces of legislation to worry about including:
The Federal Wire Act
This was passed in 1961 and basically says that it's illegal to accept or transmit money over a wire if that money is intended for gambling. Of course, this hit bookies' shops and off-track betting shops the hardest, as they were typically dealing with bets via telephone. It also affects Internet transmissions today, as the net is technically a "wire" transmission as interpreted by the Department of Justice.
This law was passed with the sole intention of cracking down on organized crime that was controlling sports betting at the time. In 2011 the DOJ clarified that this law applies only to online sports betting and does not affect online casino or poker gambling. It does not affect access to legally licensed offshore sportsbooks and only applies to US-based gambling.
Learn more about this law by visiting our guide to understanding Federal Wire Act as it goes into detail about what this law means and how it impacts American residents.
The UIGEA
This is the one that we always mention last, and that's because it really only targets online gambling operators and payment processors, and does not address players at all. This is the one that George W. Bush signed into law in 2006, when the vast majority of all online gaming sites, from poker rooms and sportsbooks to casinos and bingo rooms, were shut down almost instantly, costing people billions of dollars and even resulting in some stiff jail sentences on the operations side.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act provides regulatory oversight regarding how online gambling transactions are processed. It does not impact player activity but rather is directed at the online gambling operators and payment processors. The few states that have initiated an online gambling platform within their states are struggling to comply with this law in regard to account funding.
The UIGEA does not affect access to US-friendly offshore sports betting that is regulated and licensed.
Minnesota's Different Live In-Play Gambling Options Offered In 2024
The number-one question people have who read this site: Are there actually legal casinos in my state? For Minnesota, the answer is a resounding yes. Although the state is very strange and double-thinking when it comes to what they allow and what they render illegal, there are actually quite a few places in the state at which you can gamble without breaking the law.
For starters, there are 18 tribal casinos located in the state of Minnesota. Some call them Indian casinos, some call them Native American casinos, but whatever you call them, just know that there are plenty to choose from inside of Minnesota.
You can gamble at the Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton City, or the Fortune Bay Resort Casino in Tower, St. Louis County. Then you have some good options like Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, or the Northern Lights Casino in Walker.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Minnesota's many tribal casinos. Most of them have a strong emphasis on slots, with a few hundred slot machines to every gaming table. But you can also find classic table games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and more.
Other than the long list of Native American casinos, you also have two state-sponsored gaming houses in Minnesota, that are sort of like hybrids of racetracks and poker rooms.
The first is Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Scott County. This is where you can watch the horses and greyhounds via live action or simulcast, and there are also a bunch of poker tables where you can play Omaha, Hold'em, and other types of poker.
The second is Running Aces Harness Park, located in Columbus. This is a racetrack where you're only going to find harness racing (i.e. horses pulling those carts), but they have a much larger and more recently updated poker room than Canterbury. So, overall, you have plenty of places to gamble at when you're in Minnesota.