Minnesota Online Casinos – Best MN Casino Gambling Sites in 2023

Welcome to your ultimate guide to Minnesota online casinos! If you’re eager to start playing all the newest slots and classic table games like blackjack and roulette, then you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with everything you need to know about online casino gaming in the North Star State. From legalities and regulations to choosing the right casino and learning the best strategies, we’ve got you covered. Now, let’s dive right in!

Are Online Casinos Legal in Minnesota?

Online casino gambling is not currently legal in Minnesota. The state does not issue licenses to virtual casinos that offer real-money wagering, and these types of platforms are not allowed to operate within Minnesota’s borders. Minnesota’s strict gambling laws prohibit all forms of online betting, with the only exception being pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing through licensed advance-deposit wagering (ADW) sites.

However, Minnesota casino enthusiasts still have several ways to get in on the action and plenty of different options to choose from. The state is home to 19 tribal casinos, owned and operated by the state’s 11 federally-recognized Native American tribes, which are allowed to offer slot machines, blackjack, poker, and bingo. In addition, the state’s two horse racing tracks are authorized to offer blackjack and non-banked card games (i.e., card games played against each other and not the house).

Social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are also completely legal in the North Star State. These free-to-play platforms offer a wide range of virtual casino-style games, do not involve real-money wagering, and often give players a chance to win real cash prizes and other exciting rewards. We will discuss social and sweepstakes casinos in greater detail in the next section.

What Are the Different Types of Minnesota Casinos?

To help simplify things we have divided Minnesota casinos into three distinct categories: real-money online casinos, social and sweepstakes casinos, and land-based casinos. The major similarities and differences between these types of casinos, as well as their current availability in the state of Minnesota, are discussed below.

Real-Money Online Casinos

Real-money online casinos are virtual gambling platforms where players can wager and win actual money through online games. These casinos operate over the internet, allowing users to access a wide range of casino games, such as slots, table games, and live dealer games, from the comfort of their own homes or on-the-go via mobile devices. Players create accounts, deposit funds, and place real-money bets on various games, with the opportunity to cash out their winnings at any time.

Unfortunately, real-money online casinos are currently unavailable in Minnesota and not allowed to accept players from within the state’s borders. In fact, there are currently only seven states that have legalized these types of platforms: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

As a result, Minnesotans will need to travel east and visit one of these states to gain access to real-money online casinos or simply wait until new legislation is passed that permits online casino gambling in their home state.

Social & Sweepstakes Casinos

Social casinos and sweepstakes casinos offer a slightly different type of online gaming experience. These platforms are very similar to real-money online casinos in that they offer a wide range of casino-style games and can be easily accessed on your mobile device, tablet, or laptop.

However, social casinos and sweepstakes casinos do not offer real-money wagering and instead allow players to place bets on games using virtual currencies or in-game tokens, giving players a chance to explore the hottest new games on the market and practice their skills without risking any of their hard-earned money.

In addition, social casinos and sweepstakes casinos often give users a chance to win cash, digital gift cards, merchandise, and other incredible prizes. These types of platforms operate using an innovative sweepstakes model and are completely legal in Minnesota and the vast majority of U.S. states and jurisdictions.

Land-Based Casinos

Land-based casinos are physical establishments where people can gamble and engage in various casino games. These casinos are typically large entertainment complexes that house a wide array of gaming options and often offer additional amenities, such as restaurants, bars, hotels, and entertainment venues. Visitors play with real money, exchange cash for chips or credits, and can cash out their winnings in the form of cash or electronic payouts.

There are currently 19 land-based casinos in Minnesota that are owned by Native American tribes. These gaming facilities are authorized to conduct class II gaming (i.e., bingo and non-banked card games) under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and may also offer blackjack and video games of chance as a result of their negotiated gaming compacts with the state of Minnesota.

In addition, Minnesota is home to two racinos (Canterbury Park and Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack), each of which offers poker, table games, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing events. However, despite considerable efforts over the years to expand their game offerings, the state’s racinos are not currently allowed to offer slot machines.

Best Minnesota Social Casinos & Sweepstakes Casinos

Minnesota residents currently have access to all of the top U.S. social casinos and sweepstakes casinos. Here are a few of the platforms that stand out from the crowd and are sure to provide a top-tier online gaming experience:

BetRivers.Net

• Available States: All 50 U.S. States
• Full Review: BetRivers.Net Review

BetRivers.Net, not to be confused with the BetRivers online casino that offers real-money wagering, has established itself as one of the top social casinos in the United States and beyond. The platform offers over 450 free online casino games, including slots, table games, keno, video poker, blackjack, live dealer options, and bingo. BetRivers.Net also provides frequent bonus opportunities and promotions in order to enhance the overall gaming experience.

Chumba Casino

• Available States: 48 of 50 U.S. States (all but ID & WA)
• Full Review: Chumba Casino Review

Another popular platform is Chumba Casino, which is owned and operated by VGW Malta Limited. Chumba Casino gives players access to a fantastic selection of virtual slots with a wide range of themes, gameplay mechanics, and bonus features. In addition, the platform offers excellent customer service, a user-friendly website and mobile app, and a generous welcome offer to all new players.

LuckyLand Slots

• Available States: 48 of 50 U.S. States (all but ID & WA)
• Full Review: LuckyLand Slots Review

Along with Chumba Casino and Global Poker, LuckyLand Slots is a member of the Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) family. The platform officially launched in January 2019 and has quickly become one of the top social gaming destinations in North America. LuckyLand Slots provides well over 100 casino-style games to its users, has one of the best customer loyalty programs in the industry, and allows players to quickly redeem their virtual coins for real cash prizes at any time.

WOW Vegas

• Available States: 47 of 50 U.S. States (all but ID, NV, & WA)
• Full Review: WOW Vegas Review

Last but not least, WOW Vegas provides a virtual casino gaming experience like no other. The site offers more than 300 casino games from three of the top software providers and developers in the industry (3 Oaks, Betsoft, and Pragmatic Play). In addition, players will also enjoy a wide range of bonus opportunities, including daily login rewards, referral programs, social media contests, weekly giveaways, and much more.

Minnesota Land-Based Casinos

Although online casino gambling is not yet available in Minnesota, the state is home to nearly two dozen gaming facilities that offer slot machines, table games, poker rooms, and more. These physical gambling establishments provide a vibrant and immersive gambling experience where visitors can wager real money and potentially win life-changing money.

Minnesota’s land-based casinos can be divided into two categories: tribal casinos and racinos. Tribal casinos are owned and operated by the state’s 11 federally-recognized Native American tribes, and they are located on tribal lands and regulated by tribal gaming authorities and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Racinos, on the other hand, are gaming facilities associated with horse racing track where visitors can enjoy casino-style gaming alongside live horse racing events.

Here is a full list of Minnesota’s land-based casinos:

Tribal Casinos

Racinos

Can I Use Offshore Casinos in Minnesota?

Although you may come across some websites that claim to offer real-money casino gambling to Minnesota residents, these platforms, commonly known as offshore casinos, are not legal or regulated in the state. Engaging with offshore casinos carries legal uncertainties and serious risks, a few of which are listed and explained below.

• Lack of Legal Protections: Offshore casinos operate outside the jurisdiction of Minnesota and the United States, which means they do not have to adhere to the same legal requirements and player protections as licensed and regulated casinos within the state. This lack of legal oversight can expose players to potential risks such as unfair gaming practices, non-payment of winnings, or inadequate security measures to protect personal and financial information.
• Limited Recourse & Dispute Resolution: Engaging with offshore casinos can present difficulties in resolving disputes or seeking recourse in the event of issues. As these platforms are located outside the legal jurisdiction of Minnesota, players may encounter obstacles when trying to address concerns related to unfair practices, payment disputes, or other conflicts. The lack of a regulated framework can hinder the ability to obtain a fair resolution or recover any potential losses.
• Potential Violation of State or Federal Law: While the legal implications for individual players engaging with offshore casinos are not entirely clear, it is possible that participating in such activities could be seen as a violation of state or federal laws. Although enforcement targeting individual players is rare, it is important to be aware of the potential legal risks involved.

To ensure a safe and secure gaming experience, it is advisable to stick to the legal and regulated options available within Minnesota. This includes visiting the state’s authorized tribal casinos and racinos or signing up with social casinos and sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and WOW Vegas.

How To Sign Up for a Minnesota Online Casino

Other Legal Forms of Gambling in Minnesota

In addition to Minnesota’s tribal casinos and racinos, there are a few other legal forms of gambling offered in the state. A general overview of the options currently available in the North Star State is provided below.

Sports Betting

In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), removing a 25-year federal ban on sports betting and giving states the authority to legalize and regulate the activity within their borders. Since then, more than 75% of U.S. states have legalized sports betting in some capacity. Unfortunately, Minnesota is not one of those states.

Despite several legislative efforts in recent years, Minnesota has not yet given online or retail sports betting the green light. However, it is certainly possible that this could change over the next few years. That said, for the time being. Minnesotans will need to visit nearby states like Iowa and Wisconsin in order to get in on the action.

Horse Racing

Betting on horse racing, however, is legal in Minnesota. The state is home to two active horse racing tracks (Canterbury Park and Running Aces Casino & Racetrack), each of which offers pari-mutuel wagering on live races and simulcast betting on races taking place all over the country. In addition, horse racing enthusiasts can use advance-deposit wagering (ADW) sites like TwinSpires and AmWager to place bets online from anywhere in the state.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Like many other U.S. states, Minnesota has not formally legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) but instead allows it to exist in a legal gray area. All of the top DFS platforms (DraftKings, FanDuel, OwnersBox, Underdog Fantasy, ParlayPlay, etc.) operate in the North Star State and offer a wide range of paid contests to Minnesotans. As a result, residents of the state have the opportunity to showcase their sports knowledge and compete for a chance to win their share of huge prize pools.

Minnesota Lottery

The Minnesota Lottery is a state-run organization that was established in 1988 and is overseen by the Minnesota State Lottery Commission. The lottery offers a wide range of games, including scratch-off tickets and draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions. Players can purchase lottery tickets from authorized retailers across the state, and the revenue generated from the Minnesota Lottery is primarily used to fund public projects, education, and environmental initiatives in the state.

Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming refers to specific forms of gambling authorized by the state of Minnesota for charitable and nonprofit organizations. These organizations, such as charities, religious groups, and fraternal organizations, can conduct games like pull-tabs, paddlewheels, bingo, raffles, and tipboards to raise funds for their charitable causes. Charitable gaming is regulated by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, which ensures compliance with state laws and regulations.

Strategies & Tips for Minnesota Casino Players

Since most casino games are largely based on luck and random chance, there is no foolproof way to guarantee big winnings during casino play. However, there are plenty of general guidelines to follow and useful strategies to implement to increase your chances of long-term success. Here are the best tips and tricks for Minnesota casino players:

• Know & Understand the Games: Familiarize yourself with the rules and strategies of the games you plan to play. Whether it’s blackjack, poker, slots, or any other game, understanding the rules and optimal strategies can increase your chances of winning.
• Practice Bankroll Management: It’s crucial to manage your bankroll effectively. Avoid betting more than you can afford and pace yourself during gameplay. Consider dividing your bankroll into sessions and setting win/loss limits to maintain control over your gambling activity.
• Take Advantage of Promotions: Stay updated on the promotions and offers available at the casinos you visit. Many casinos provide incentives such as bonus chips, free play, or discounts on meals and accommodations. Utilize these promotions to maximize your playing time and potential winnings.
• Stay Hydrated & Take Breaks: It’s important to stay hydrated while gambling. Drink plenty of water and take breaks to stretch and refresh yourself. Staying physically and mentally alert can enhance your focus and decision-making abilities.
• Learn Casino Etiquette: Familiarize yourself with proper casino etiquette to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. Follow table game etiquette, such as waiting for your turn, using appropriate gestures, and being respectful to dealers and fellow players.
• Research Payback Percentages: Different casino games have varying payback percentages. Take some time to research and choose games that offer higher payback percentages, as they give you better chances of winning in the long run.
• Avoid Risky Betting Systems: Be cautious of betting systems that claim to guarantee wins or beat the house consistently. Most betting systems are based on superstition or faulty logic. Stick to strategies backed by sound mathematical principles or proven game strategies.

Minnesota Online Casino FAQ