- There are compelling alternatives to sports betting in Minnesota, including the Fliff social sportsbook and pick’em contests at Underdog and PrizePicks.
- You can sign up with leading daily fantasy sports apps such as DraftKings and FanDuel in Minnesota.
- There is a chance that Minnesota will legalize sports betting soon, provided the opposing factions can resolve their differences.
Minnesota Sports Betting
Despite the efforts of many, Minnesota sports betting failed to be legalized in 2024. Partisan fighting over how the bills were negotiated helped create the impasse, with other interested parties adding further complications. Here find a full rundown of the present and possible future for sports betting in Minnesota, plus information about currently available options like social sportsbooks and fantasy sports apps.
Minnesota sports betting news
Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
No, real money sports betting is not legal in Minnesota. That makes the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” an outlier, as more than two-thirds of the US has legalized some form of sports wagering.
The first Minnesota sports betting bills were introduced in 2019, and there have been renewed attempts every year since. In some instances, the state’s many tribes who operate nearly 40 MN casinos have used their influence to prevent sports betting legislation from moving forward. At other times the tribes have supported sports betting, but other interests including those connected to the state’s horse racing tracks have thwarted those efforts.
Proponents of sports betting will need to gain bipartisan support, appease the tribes and the horse racing tracks, and assuage responsible gambling concerns among state senators. It’s a very delicate balancing act, and nobody has been able to come up with a satisfactory solution yet.
Current status of Minnesota sports betting legislation
Two sports betting bills introduced in 2024 received serious consideration from lawmakers. Both Rep. Zack Stephenson’s HF 2000 and the companion SF 1949 bill introduced by Sen. Matt Klein and Sen. Fuong Hawj would have authorized both retail and online sports betting in Minnesota. But both bills failed to pass through their respective committees.
Complicating matters, in early April the Minnesota Racing Commission voted to allow historical horse racing machines (HHR) at the state’s two tracks. A week later, Rep. Stephenson introduced a separate bill to prohibit HHR machines. Meanwhile, the racetracks filed a federal lawsuit against the state’s tribes claiming they are offering games that go beyond what is allowed in their tribal-state compacts.
Such gambling-related conflicts between the tracks and tribes and the ongoing debates over HHR machines have together helped create conditions making it especially difficult for sports betting legislation to advance. In any case, Minnesota will have to wait at least another year before the prospect of sports betting legalization returns.
How to make online sports bets in Minnesota
Since you cannot use traditional online sportsbooks in Minnesota, if you want to wager on sports online in the state, you will need to find an alternative. You can use a social sportsbook like Fliff, take part in pick’em contests at Underdog Fantasy, or compete in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests at DraftKings or FanDuel.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Visit your chosen site or download the appropriate app in the Apple Store (for iOS) or via Google Play (for Android).
- Click the “Sign Up” button (or the equivalent). Enter your email address and select a password. Provide personal information as directed, agree to the site’s terms, and submit the form.
- Once your account is created, head to the deposit page and make an initial payment. The minimum deposit is usually $10.
From there you can search for available bets if using a social sportsbook or pick’em fantasy site, or start creating line-ups if playing traditional DFS.
Betting alternatives in Minnesota
Here is a little more about some of those sports betting alternatives available to those in Minnesota:
- Fliff Sportsbook | This social sportsbook accepts the same bets—spreads, moneylines, totals, etc.—available at real money sportsbooks in other states. You can play for fun with Fliff Coins. The app also gives players free Fliff Cash, which can be redeemed for cash prizes if you complete a playthrough requirement.
- Underdog Fantasy | This fantasy sports app allows you to take part in pick’em contests, which focus on player props. You can also compete in snake fantasy draft leagues and battle royale contests.
- DraftKings Fantasy | This very popular DFS app offers comprehensive coverage of a large range of sports.
- FanDuel Fantasy | DraftKings’ major rival, FanDuel provides a similar selection of DFS contests, covering NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, college football, college basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, and NASCAR.
Rules and limitations to Minnesota sports betting
- Legal age: 18 for all gambling in Minnesota.
- Retail sportsbooks: None available yet.
- Mobile betting options: Social sportsbooks, fantasy apps (no real money online sportsbooks).
- Geofencing: Turn on your phone’s location services if required.
- Remote registration: Not required in Minnesota.
- Taxes on winnings: You will need to pay state and federal income tax if you earn a profit from all gambling activities in a specific year. Your tax rate will depend upon your income bracket, as gambling profits are added to your other sources of income.
College betting rules
You can take part in college football and college basketball contests at DraftKings and FanDuel in Minnesota. Fliff also covers NCAA football and basketball.
There have not been any attempts to remove college sports betting from the bills that are currently under consideration in Minnesota. However, some states prohibit prop bets on college sports, and others forbid betting on games featuring in-state teams, so Minnesota may decide to follow suit.
Pros and cons of Minnesota sports betting
Pros ✅:
Cons ❌:
- You cannot bet on sports in the traditional sense in Minnesota, as the state has not yet legalized online or in-person sports betting.
- We do not know if or when Minnesota will legalize sports betting, as rival factions have been unable to agree to a compromise bill that suits all parties.
- Minnesota may impose a ban on in-play sports betting, which accounts for half of all sports wagers placed in the United States.
Minnesota sports teams
Minnesota is home to six major professional sports teams. You will be able to bet on all of these teams if the state passes a sports wagering bill:
- Minnesota Vikings
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Minnesota Twins
- Minnesota Wild
- Minnesota Lynx
- Minnesota United
You should also find plenty of betting lines on games featuring the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the St. Thomas Tommies.
Other gambling options in the state
Various forms of gambling are legally available in Minnesota:
- Casino: There are 38 tribal casinos in Minnesota, according to the American Gaming Association. They can offer slot machines and card games, but roulette and craps games are unavailable. Online casinos have not been legalized, but you can use social and sweepstakes casino sites in Minnesota.
- Horse racing: Pari-mutuel wagering is legal in Minnesota. You can place bets in person at racetracks, or you can use an online racebook, such as TwinSpires.
- Daily fantasy sports: Minnesota has never prohibited DFS contests, so apps like FanDuel and DraftKings accept players based in the state.
- Poker: There are land-based poker rooms at some tribal casinos in Minnesota, but online poker sites have not been legalized.
Responsible gaming in Minnesota
Minnesota does not have a legal sports betting industry, but there are still lots of opportunities to gamble. It is important to gamble responsibly, whether you play at a fantasy sports app or visit a tribal casino. Only play with money that you can afford to lose and practice moderation.
If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also visit the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling site, which provides responsible gambling tips and recovery stories. The site also offers information about the local support you can access. The helpline is 800-333-HOPE (4673).
FAQs
Despite the efforts of multiple lawmakers who proposed sports betting bills in 2024, no legislation has been able to advance. That means 2025 at the earliest for the next round of bills and debates and, if things go positively, the legalization of Minnesota sports betting.
DraftKings runs daily fantasy sports contests for players in Minnesota. The state has never explicitly permitted fantasy sports contests, but it has not outlawed them either, so DraftKings accepts DFS customers in Minnesota. However, online sports betting has not been legalized, so those in Minnesota cannot use DraftKings Sportsbook.
You can use a social sportsbook called Fliff, which offers markets such as spreads and totals on a wide range of sports. Fantasy sports apps such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog are also available in Minnesota.
No, Minnesota does not currently permit in-person sports betting. Therefore you won’t find retail sportsbooks at any of the state’s many tribal casinos. If you want to bet on sports in person, you will need to visit a neighboring state, such as Iowa or Wisconsin.
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics Sportsbook are among the sites likely to launch in Minnesota if the state legalizes online sports betting. They are the country’s leading online sportsbooks, and they are all available in a variety of states. We expect them to expand into Minnesota if given the opportunity.