Minnesota is generally gambling-friendly, offering legal options ranging from charitable gambling, state-run lotteries, tribal casinos and horse-racing. However, the state is slightly behind when it comes to embracing technology, and has yet to offer online casino gambling. Likewise, sports betting remains illegal, though legislators continually introduce bills that might change that soon. Daily Fantasy is in a grey area at present, with providers such as FanDuel and DraftKings freely operating in Minnesota although these games have not technically been approved by law.

Gambling Laws in Minnesota

While open to many forms of gambling in its history, Minnesota has not yet embraced new technology, including online casino gambling, sports gambling and even online lotto. But like many states, since the Supreme Court ruling against the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, legislators have renewed their efforts to legalize Minnesota sports betting. Two bills, SF 1894 and HF 1278 are currently on the table, with the former making positive gains in the senate. Both bills propose to authorize sports betting and create some kind of regulating authority to oversee it.

Most Popular Sports in Minnesota

Minnesotans are spoiled for choice with a plethora of high-performing sports teams to root for. The state boasts teams in the MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, Major League Soccer and National Women’s Hockey League. Whether they are playing close to home at the first-class Target Field, Target Center or U.S. Bank Stadium, or at national championships far and wide, these teams are a huge draw for sports fans and make the North Star State proud.

Here are the most popular sports and resulting betting markets in Minnesota:

Baseball – Minnesota Twins

Named for Minnesota’s Twin Cities area (Minneapolis and St. Paul), this team has certainly brought acclaim to the region since its formation in 1894. The Twins have won the World Series three times, in 1924, 1987 and 1991. They have two dozen players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Players include Joe Mauer, who spent his entire 15-year career with the Twins and despite being a catcher, has won notable batting titles in the MLB and AL.

Football – Minnesota Vikings

A slightly younger team for the state, though just as noteworthy, is the Minnesota Vikings. Formed in 1960, they joined the NFL in 1960 and compete currently in the NFC North division. They’ve boasted a number of Football Hall of Famers and championship wins. Masses of fans turn out to see them play, especially against the Green Bay Packers, which constitutes one of the biggest rivalries in the NFC North. Be sure to wear your Helga hat and get ready to yell “Skol!”

Ice Hockey – Minnesota Wild

Founded in 2000 and based in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Wild demand great attention from hockey fans allover the midwest. They play in the Central Division of NHL’S Western Conference. Most notably, they appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2002-2003 and were division champions in 2007-2008.

Basketball – Minnesota TImberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves, a.k.a. “the Wolves” are Minneapolis’s professional NBA team. The team was formed in 1989 as an expansion team and struggled in its first years, but eventually landed a key player, Kevin Garnett, and made their way to the playoffs for an eight-year run. They finally won a division championship with MVP Garnett in 2004.

Local History of Sports Betting

There have been several attempts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, but the state falls slightly behind when it comes to any form of online betting or mixing technology with gambling. Bills have been proposed in 2018, before the PASPA ruling, and in 2019. There are currently some viable proposals, which means sports betting might no longer be a fantasy in the North Star State!

Legal Online Sports Betting Age in Minnesota

Sports betting has not yet been legalized in Minnesota, but when it is, it could likely follow the age limit for alcohol consumption in the state. Residents must be 21 years and older to buy and consume alcohol, though an exception exists for minors who have permission from their parents/legal guardians, when consuming alcohol in the privacy of their homes. Language in the bill SF 1894 suggests that residents over 18 years of age would be allowed to legally bet, so this could be the case if the bill is passed.

• Sports Betting Age
  There is currently no age, as there is no legal sports gambling in Minnesota.
• Alcohol Age
  The legal drinking age is 21 in Minnesota, with an exception for minors with permission of their legal guardian and in the privacy of their own home.
• Marijuana Age
  There is currently no age, as there is no legal marijuana consumption in Minnesota.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal Outside of the State?

Up until recently, the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) had limited sports betting in almost every state. The aforementioned ruling by the Supreme Court in 2018 struck down PASPA, leading to many states seeking legalized sports betting. You can learn more about newly legalized Iowa sports betting, for example, which is legal when accessed from within the state, but still not from within Minnesota.

Taxes on Your Winnings: Do You Have to Pay Anything?

The taxing of winnings on earnings from gambling in Minnesota has not yet been determined since sports betting remains illegal. If betting becomes legal, it is likely that winnings will be taxed, following suit of other states and many European countries, like Germany where a 5% tax on all winnings is in place. Current proposed bills give no indication how those earnings might be spent in Minnesota.

Upcoming Regulation Changes in Minnesota Betting Law

The most promising law on the table to legalize sports betting in Minnesota is currently SF 1894, which, if passed, will create a Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission. A board of five appointed members on this commission would seek to create further regulations regarding sports betting, including determining license costs and barriers for gambling providers, taxation, age limits and more. This sounds like positive news for sports enthusiasts in the region.

Sports Betting Guides for Nearby States

• Wisconsin
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Iowa