Minnesota Online Casino Sites — Best of 2024
The Gopher State’s rich culture and breathtaking landscapes offer plenty of ways to unwind, but can online casinos be part of the fun? Not yet. Currently, real money online casinos are not legal in Minnesota.
Don’t worry, though; there’s still plenty to explore. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest updates on online casino legislation, share exciting alternatives for casino-style gaming, and even show you how to handle your winnings the smart way. Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Learn about Minnesota real money online gambling laws.
- Find out the best sweepstakes casinos available for Minnesotans.
- Discover the top three high-rated land-based casinos in Minnesota.
Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Minnesota
With Minnesota lagging in the approval of online casinos, it’s no surprise that residents continually seek legal online casino alternatives to try out. Thanks to sweepstakes casinos, MN players now have the opportunity to play their favorite games for free and still land prizes like cash and gift cards.
From our list of the best US sweepstakes casinos, we selected the top five ones for Minnesota players in 2024.
An Overview of Minnesota Online Gambling
Although real-money online casinos are not legal in Minnesota, the state offers various gambling options to compensate, each governed by specific regulations. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what Minnesotans can bet on:
| Gambling Type | Legal Status | Current Situation | Legal Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Casinos | No | Real money online casinos are illegal and unregulated in Minnesota. | — |
| Retail Casinos | Yes | Legal on tribal lands, with several operational casinos under tribal-state compacts. | 18 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos | Yes | Operate legally using virtual currencies, offering a legit alternative to traditional online casinos. | 18 |
| Card rooms | Yes | Live poker rooms are available within licensed tribal casinos and card clubs. | 18 |
| Bingo | Yes | Legal as part of charitable gaming activities. | 18 |
| Lottery | Yes | State-run with various draws and scratch-off games. | 18 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | Legal with pari-mutuel betting at venues like Canterbury Park. | 18 |
| Sports Betting | No | Currently illegal; no legislation has been passed to legalize sports betting. | — |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | Operate in a legal gray area; not explicitly legalized but widely accessible. | 18 |
Want to Bet Real Money? Our Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in Minnesota
Currently, Minnesota is home to 17 physical casinos, offering many games and numerous other amenities for guests. They are all operated by Native American tribes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
Here’s a list of the top three land-based casinos you can pay a visit to when you’re in Minnesota:
- Grand Casino in Hinckley: 2,144 slot machines, 28 table games, a 300-seat bingo hall, and a poker room.
- Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton: 1,200 slots and a 250-seat bingo hall.
- Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake: Hundreds of slots and games of blackjack, video poker, and bingo.
How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Minnesota?
Minnesota taxes all gambling winnings. This tax applies to all winnings made by residents gambling in the state or via internet gambling across any US state.
Unlike other states, there isn’t a fixed tax rate for gambling winnings in MN. So, your income bracket and tax filing status determine the amount of tax you pay from gambling wins. This means that operators don’t withhold the state tax; instead, you’re to report it on your Minnesota tax return (Form M1, Individual Income Tax).
Moreover, depending on the winnings, a gambling operator will issue an IRS Form and automatically withhold the 24% federal tax before payout. This applies to winnings of $5,000 and above.
History of Gambling in Minnesota
After World War II, Minnesota banned all gambling except for charitable gaming. Gambling remained limited until the 1900s, and even today, the state lags in embracing certain activities.
Here are the major highlights in the history of gambling in Minnesota:
- 1857: Minnesota’s Constitution banned all gambling.
- 1945: Charitable bingo became legal.
- 1978: Paddle wheels, tip-boards, and raffles were approved.
- 1983: Parimutuel betting on horse races was legalized.
- 1988: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed gambling on tribal lands.
- 1989: Voters legalized the state lottery.
- 1999: Canterbury Park added a card club.
- 2016: A bill for daily fantasy sports failed to pass in the Senate.
So, What’s Next for Minnesota Online Casinos?
In 2024, Minnesota lawmakers pushed hard to legalize sports betting by tying it to horsetrack regulation. While this showed promise, the legislative session ended unsuccessfully, leaving both sports betting and online casino legalization off the table—for now.
Unfortunately, real-money online casinos remain a low priority in the Gopher State. However, progress on sports betting could set the stage for future conversations about legalizing online casino gaming.
For now, Minnesotans seeking casino-style fun can turn to legal alternatives like sweepstakes casinos. These platforms offer exciting games using virtual currencies, giving you the thrill of casino gaming without breaking any laws. You can also opt for one of the MN land-based casinos.
Stay updated about state online casino regulation by visiting our dedicated page.
References
- MN Department of Revenue Gambling Winnings — Retrieved on November 22, 2024
- Minnesota Lax Review — Retrieved on November 22, 2024
- TCB Minnesota Bipartisanship on Sports Betting — Retrieved on November 22, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
No, online casino gambling isn’t currently legal in Minnesota.
Yes, Minnesota is home to 17 tribal casinos, all operating legally under agreements with the state.
Yes, Minnesotans can play poker at licensed tribal casinos across the state. Some even host live poker rooms and tournaments. For casual games, home poker games are also permitted, as long as there’s no rake or profit for the host.