Online Casinos for players from Minnesota in 2026

Introduction

In the United States, the legality of gambling varies by state. Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision (Murphy v. NCAA), states gained the right to legalize sports betting, and many have since done so.

Online gambling, including poker and casino games, is legal in a few states, while others maintain strict prohibitions. The regulatory landscape is complex, with growing calls for federal oversight to establish standardized rules that would ensure a high level of consumer protection and fraud prevention while balancing each state’s independent approach in regulating the industry.

While Minnesota does not yet permit online casinos, there are several legal forms of gambling available within the state. The Minnesota Gambling Control Board regulates various gambling activities, including charitable gambling such as bingo, raffles, and pull tabs.

For more traditional casino-style games, residents can visit one of the many tribal casinos located across the state. These casinos operate under agreements known as compacts, which are negotiated between the state and the federally recognized tribes.

Sports betting is another area where Minnesota is actively exploring potential legislation. While there have been ongoing discussions regarding the legalization of sports betting, particularly in collaboration with tribal casinos, no concrete laws have been passed as of yet.

Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, online casinos are currently illegal. Although there has been ongoing discussion among lawmakers about the potential legalization of online gambling, the state has yet to enact any legislation to permit real-money online casinos.

Despite this, the issue remains a topic of debate, particularly during new legislative sessions. There is hope that agreements might eventually be reached between state lawmakers, tribal landowners, and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) to allow for the legalization of online gambling.

On the other hand, players interested in gambling on the Internet have some alternatives, for example, sweepstakes casinos and social casinos. These platforms mimic online casino games like slots and table games, offering players the chance to win sweepstakes entries for real money prizes, but without actual gambling for cash.

While these sites are technically legal, they do not operate on the same level as regulated real-money online casinos in other states. Some see such model as exploiting the loopholes, but at the time being, they operate without problems in vast majority of US states.

Additionally, horse racing is legal in Minnesota, and there are two racetracks, including Canterbury Park in Shakopee, where people can enjoy betting on races along with other gaming options. Other forms of gambling permitted in the state include charitable gambling, pari-mutuel gambling, lotteries, and tribal gambling.

Sweepstakes casinos

Because online casinos are illegal in Minnesota, the only way you can currently engage in casino-style games and win real-value prizes is through sweepstakes casinos (and “social” casinos with sweeps prizes). Sweepstakes fall under contests and charitable gaming - which is allowed according to the Minnesota government. However, the legal status of online sweepstakes specifically can be more controversial, as their structure sometimes blurs the lines between gaming and gambling. And, as with most gambling and gaming-related matters in this state—and the United States in general—things are far from simple, as you’ll soon see.

US Sweepstakes Laws & Real Money Prizes

The first questions most players have regarding sweepstakes are: “Are online sweepstakes casinos legal?” and “Can I win/cash out real money?”

In this sense, players are confused because - if real value prizes are available and sweepstakes are NOT gambling in the traditional sense - how is this possible and even allowed?

You're right to notice the resemblance to traditional gambling, and many people share the same concern. While sweepstakes casinos do have elements that resemble gambling—like the potential to win cash or prizes—there's a key distinction in how they are structured. In the U.S., sweepstakes are legal because they are technically classified as "promotions" rather than gambling. The main difference is that in most sweepstakes casinos, players can earn entry by making purchases or through "free" methods like participating in sweepstakes without spending money, which satisfies legal requirements for games of chance to avoid being classified as illegal gambling.

However, the line can get blurry. Many people view sweepstakes casinos as a form of gambling because they often rely on chance and can lead to cash rewards. The difference comes down to how the games are framed: as a promotional tool or a contest, which is why they are allowed to operate in states where traditional online gambling is not.

It’s a loophole that some critics argue allows operators to sidestep traditional gambling regulations, and it often prompts debate about whether these games should be more tightly regulated.

No matter the debates about the legality of sweepstakes - there is no doubt they are getting more popular across the board, even among the established, licensed companies who see the potential in this kind of gaming. 

How do sweepstakes casinos work and how do I win?

Imagine you’re entering a fun contest, like a drawing for a toy. In this case, the contest is on a sweepstakes casino website. You can play games, like spinning a wheel or playing slots, but here’s the twist: you don’t have to pay money to enter the contest if you don’t want to. You can get “sweepstakes entries” by doing things like watching ads or clicking buttons. These entries give you a chance to win prizes or real money, just like if you were entering a free raffle or sweepstakes.

Even though you can win money, the key part is that you aren’t technically betting or gambling because you don’t have to put money in to play, just like you don’t need to buy tickets to enter a raffle for a prize. It's more like playing a free game where you might win a prize, and that's why it's legal in places where regular gambling might not be.

So, you can win real money, but you’re not “gambling” because you don’t have to risk your own money to try!

1. Gold Coins (GC):

• What are they? Gold Coins are the "fun money" used in sweepstakes casinos. They don't have any real cash value. You use Gold Coins to play the games, like slots or video poker.
• How do you get them? Gold Coins are typically provided for free when you sign up, as bonuses, or through promotional offers. You might also get them for logging in daily or completing certain tasks.
• What can you do with them? Gold Coins allow you to play the games and experience the fun, but you can’t cash out Gold Coins for real money. They are for entertainment purposes only.

2. Sweeps Coins (SC):

• What are they? Sweeps Coins are the special currency that can be exchanged for real money or prizes. These are the coins you’re after if you want to win real rewards.
• How do you get them? Sweeps Coins are usually earned as part of promotional offers. You can often get Sweeps Coins by purchasing Gold Coins (though this purchase might be structured so that you can also receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus) or through other methods, like free entry offers or contests.
• What can you do with them? You can use Sweeps Coins to play the games just like Gold Coins, but the key difference is that Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash prizes or other rewards. If you win using Sweeps Coins, you may be able to cash out your winnings.

How do Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins work together?

• Gold Coins are used for playing games and gaining experience, but they don’t have a cash value. Think of them like playing with tokens at an arcade.

• Sweeps Coins are your ticket to potentially winning real money, and you’ll use them to enter sweepstakes or contests where you can win cash.

So, if you want to win real value, you'll focus on earning Sweeps Coins (whether through free methods or by purchasing Gold Coins). Your chance of winning depends on how many Sweeps Coins you have and how they are used in the system.

Sweepstakes/social casinos with sweeps prizes have their own set of rules for payouts: Swwps Coins are usually redeemed at a set rate and to cashout, there are minimum withdrawal requirements you have to meet. The payouts method available depend on the gaming site, but you can expect both fiat and cryptocurrencies. 

Take a look at the list of sweepstakes casinos available in Minnesota: 

Which Online Casino Games Can Be Played in Minnesota?

As online gambling is still unregulated in Minnesota, local players have no other but to visit either sweepstakes/ social casinos or offshore casinos that accept players from the United States.

Providing fast-paced gameplay, slot games are largely popular all over the world, and Minnesotans like to play them as well. One of the main reasons why they stand firmly as the number one choice for a vast majority of players is abundant features, versatile themes, and affordability for various budget sizes.

On the other hand, some players prefer to put their skills to the test, rather than merely relying on luck. For that reason, all-time favorites such as baccarat, roulette, and blackjack have a huge fan base among residents of the North Star State. Those looking for something that matchFes a bit of both worlds usually opt for video poker.

Sports Betting in Minnesota

Sports betting has been a popular topic of discussion in Minnesota, for quite some time. Many residents have been hoping to get the opportunity to legally place bets on sporting events. However, despite this growing demand, sports betting is still illegal in the state, as per the current state of affairs in November 2024.

What comes as quite interesting is that despite a large number of Native American casinos across the state, Minnesota faces significant challenges in passing sports betting legislation. The state has made several attempts over the years to pass legislation, but the process has been slowed by disagreements between the horse racing industry, employees, and shareholders.

One of the attempts to regulate it came in May 2024 with the introduction of state legislation HF 5274, which was built on a previous bill, HF 2000. Unfortunately, the bill failed to pass before the legislative session ended on May 20, 2024, which delayed the potential sports betting legalization in The North Star State until at least 2025.

On the other hand, there are signs that momentum for legal sports betting is growing in Minnesota. In particular, Running Aces Casino, a major gaming facility in the state, has shown support for a bill that would allow sports betting.

While sports betting is not yet legal in Minnesota, there is strong public support for its legalization. According to some polls, around 90% of Minnesotans back a sports betting bill that benefits the horse racing industry, tribal communities, and local charities.

Gambling Regulators and Associations in Minnesota

There are several institutions in charge of regulating and supervising the gambling industry in Minnesota, each in charge of a different aspect.

One of them is the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Although granted limited authority, this institution is tasked to monitor and inspect the gaming operations, so to ensure that they are compliant with the relevant regulations.

Then there’s the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, whose duty is to provide the resources and regulations for one of the biggest branches in the state’s gambling industry- charitable gambling. This institution regulates pull-tabs, raffles, bingo, paddlewheels, and tipboards.

Committed to maintaining the integrity of its lottery games and maintaining the public’s confidence in its games and operations is The Minnesota State Lottery. To date, the institution has generated large sums of money for a variety of programs such as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Game and Fish Fund, and the Natural Resources Fund.

Furthermore, the Minnesota Racing Commission’s mission is to ensure the integrity of horse racing and card playing and oversee the proper distribution of funds back into the industry. In addition to this, the Commission takes care of the safety and welfare of both human and equine participants and also promotes the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota.

Then there’s the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) which educates people about the impact of tribal gambling and takes necessary steps to protect it.

Depositing and Withdrawing when in MN

Check the table below to get a complete insight into withdrawal/deposit and banking term rankings in Minnesota. By clicking on the casino’s name, you will get a detailed insight at the withdrawal and deposit score of each casino and how we determined each.

More information about deposit and withdrawal terms for US players can be found on the deposit and withdrawal methods for US players page.

Conclusion

Certain forms of gambling in Minnesota operate within a regulated framework that offers residents a variety of legal options. However, the regulation and legalization of emerging trends like online gambling and sports betting are still facing numerous challenges.

Currently, Minnesota does not allow online casinos, though there are alternative platforms such as sweepstakes and social casinos, which offer a way for players to engage with casino-style games without real-money wagering.

Regulators and dedicated institutions like the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA), Minnesota Gambling Control Board, the Minnesota Racing Commission, and the Minnesota State Lottery remain key players in maintaining the industry integrity and consumer protection.

Related Reading

• LCB.org
• Minnesota Indian Gaming Association
• Minnesota Gambling Control Board

Written by: Michael Shackleford