There has been much discussion about online gambling in Minnesota in recent years because online casinos in Minnesota are not yet legal. The lawmakers are still currently discussing ways and means of legalizing online casinos and online gambling in Minnesota so that the situation can change in 2024.
After extensive research, our casino experts have uncovered important information concerning online gambling in Minnesota. Continue reading this helpful guide to see which casino games are already legal and what gambling laws are currently in place.
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Which Casino Games and Sports Betting Games Are Legal in Minnesota?
Although online gambling in Minnesota has not yet been legalized, there are a few variants of gambling and gaming entertainment available in the state. We have put a great amount of time into finding top-quality information and have researched which types of online casino games and other forms of gaming are allowed by Minnesota gambling laws.
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Sports Betting
Sports betting is a popular form of online gambling and betting. Unfortunately, it is still illegal in Minnesota, but there have been ongoing talks between the state, the state’s Native American tribes, and their compacts regarding sports betting.
Horse Racing
With horse racing being legal in Minnesota, there are several horse racetracks where betters can sit back, relax, and enjoy the racing. The best destination is Canterbury Park, located in Shakopee, where gamblers can play other casino games besides betting on horses and playing the best card games.
Minnesota Lottery
Back in 1989, the Minnesota legislature created a state lottery, operated by the Governor’s directors and aided by the advice on the content of the Senate. This type of gambling is 100% legal in MN.
Casinos
Minnesota online casinos are still illegal, and the state is currently working on legalizing them. Only tribal casinos operate within the live gambling space under a combination of state laws and compacts.
Bingo
Many licensed non-profit agencies, such as bingo and raffles, operate legally in Minnesota under the gambling laws. It is safe to say that Bingo has been legal since 1945.
Poker
Poker is legal in Minnesota because it is licensed at horse racing tracks, tribal casinos, and card clubs. It is not 100% legal at online casinos just yet.
Sweepstakes Casinos
There are multiple sweepstakes casinos based around Minnesota where players can enjoy playing slot games online with other casino games and win tokens and prizes. What players love about sweepstakes casinos is that they mimic online real-money casinos but are free to play.
When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in Minnesota?
We have no direct answer as to when online gambling will be legal in Minnesota, but we are all hoping and holding thumbs to see online casinos and online gambling in MN live and legal sometime during the year 2024. This depends on the legislative processes, Native American tribes, and other parties. If you are wondering who would be the ones to regulate online gambling, it will be the Minnesota Gambling Control Board and gaming commissions.
They will also receive help from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA). The Gambling Enforcement will also conduct criminal and gaming license background checks as well as complete investigations to monitor the 19 different tribal casinos that are currently operating in Minnesota. These forums will all come together and discuss the matter of online gambling and find a way to legalize sports betting and online casinos in MN.
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The History of Gambling in Minnesota
With the rise of online casinos, sports betting, and online gambling becoming the latest craze, there has been loads of talk about Minessota legalizing them. Let us take a deeper look into the history of gambling in MN and see where it all started.
The earliest mention of gambling laws in Minnesota was in 1857, when the first lottery sale tickets were sold. Many years after that, Bingo games operated for charitable purposes and were legalized in 1945. After the Second World War, charitable gambling in Minnesota was permitted to a certain degree, but no other types of gambling or casinos were allowed in the state.
In 1983, pari-mutuel betting was proposed, and it was approved immediately. This was when horse racing betting was legalized, and the Minnesota Racing Commission was created. Canterbury Park was then granted legislative authority to open a card club at their racetrack in 1999.
The U.S. Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, which allowed gambling on tribal lands. In 2016, fantasy sports became legal, but there were still strict regulations on sports betting. Since overruling the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2019, several sports betting bills have been proposed, including one from last year in 2023. Still, none have successfully been passed to date.
Online Gambling in Minnesota and Expected Change
There are still many games, online casinos, sports betting, and other gambling features waiting to be legalized. At this moment in time, we expect changes to happen sometime soon. However, the state legislature is scheduled to look at a sports betting bill that may open the door for legal sports betting in MN. Only time will tell, so stick around and wait to see our next updated article on online gambling in Minnesota.
This is a contributed post. Give Me The Mike received compensation for this content.
