Minnesota sports betting is not yet legal, but social sportsbooks are an option for MN bettors.
The efforts to bring sports wagering to the Land of 10,000 Lakes received a last-minute jolt when the Minnesota Legislature established some common ground in May 2024, but the bill that would have legalized the industry did not ultimately go to a vote. Lawmakers needed to approve HF 5274 by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, but the details weren’t finalized in time. At the very least, the late effort offers hope for the 2025 legislative session.
On this page, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the future of legal sports betting in Minnesota. In the meantime, daily fantasy sports (DFS) games are a fun and legal alternative for MN state residents and visitors.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you place a bet at a sportsbook through one of our links.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota?
Traditional sports betting is not a legal option in Minnesota, but lawmakers have been considering it. The state’s gambling industry is centered around tribe-operated casinos, the Minnesota State Lottery, live horse racing, and charitable electronic pull tab games.
| 💰 Is Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota | ❌ Not available |
| 💰 Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ Available |
| 🪙 Social Sportsbooks | ✅ Available |
| 🗓 Launch Date | ❓TBD |
| 🎰 Casinos in Minnesota | 💸 19 Tribe Run Casinos |
| 📜 Legal Gambling Age | 📝 18 |
| 🤑 Retail Sportsbooks | ❌ Not available |
| 👨👩👧👦 Population | 5.7 million |
When Will Sports Betting Be Legal in Minnesota?
The 2024 legislative session adjourned without legalizing sports wagering in Minnesota.
The Nov. 5 General Election could bring in a new group of lawmakers, which could strengthen — or weaken — hopes for the 2025 legislative session. Sports betting will continue to be a topic, but it appears the first legal sports bets are at least a year away.
What's Happening in Minnesota Sports Betting Right Now?
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July 6, 2024:
The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association voted to disband on June 24, citing lack of funds to be able to continue, according to the Midwest Paddock Report. “It was just simply a matter of our funding evaporating,” said MTA President Rick Bremer told the Midwest Paddock Report. “We’ll be staying on as a volunteer board to oversee all the details as we wind down. There will still be quite a few decisions that will need to be made.”
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June 24, 2024:
The owners of Minnesota’s horse racing tracks expressed concern and displeaure after Gov. Tim Walz’s appointed two tribal leaders to the Minnesota Racing Commission. The Star-Tribune reports Walz appointed Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe chief executive Melanie Benjamin and Johnny Johnson, former president of the Prairie Island Indian Community. Taro Ito, president and CEO at Running Aces, said the appointments were “a slap in the face to the Minnesota horse racing industry and the thousands of people employed in this $500-plus million a year agricultural sector.”
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May 22, 2024:
Hopes for legal sports betting in Minnesota officially came to an end for yet another year. A bill to legalize sports betting in the state, HF 5274, failed to reach the floor for a vote ahead of an 11:59 p.m. deadline on May 19. Minnesota sports betting is now on hold until the 2025 legislative session.
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April 30, 2024:
House Bill 2000 passed the House Taxes Committee. Though the measure passed, there is concern HB 2000 may not have the support it needs in the Senate.
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April 5, 2024:
State Sen. John Marty filed a bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, making it the third bill brought to the table in an attempt to get expanded gaming in the state. Marty’s SF 5330 bill proposes a 40% tax rate for Minnesota sports betting operators. The state’s other bills featured lower tax rates.
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April 3, 2024:
The Minnesota Racing Commission voted to approve an additional form of gaming, historical horse racing, at Canterbury Park and Running Aces, the Star Tribune reports. Historical horse racing is a machine-based game that allows users to wager on past horse races.
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March 18, 2024:
Sen. Matt Klein’s attempt to bring legal sports betting to Minnesota moves forward to the Senate Finance Committee. Should it gain approval in the Senate, a similar process will ensue in the House of Representatives.
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March 8, 2024:
A proposed amendment to the Minnesota sports betting bill put forward by Sen. Jordan Rasmusson looks to restrict national sportsbooks from accepting in-game prop bets. In response, Jeremy Kudon, president of the Sports Betting Alliance, argued the amendment would undermine efforts to combat problem gambling.
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February 15, 2024:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announces he would give his full support and approval to a Minnesota sports betting bill if it were brought up in the 2024 legislative session. The support comes with tepid hopes, however, as previous attempts to bring sports betting to the state failed in the past.
Minnesota Sports Betting Bills
Three sports betting bills rose to the level of debate in 2024, but no consensus was reached by lawmakers. That lack of unity meant that none of the bills advanced to a vote.
Below is a rundown on how the three latest Minnesota sports betting bills were constructed.
Lawmakers needed to approve HF 5274 by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 19, but they couldn’t work out the details. HF 5274 banned HHR machine gaming but gave tribal casinos and racetracks retail sportsbook opportunities. It would have taxed sports betting revenue at 20% from 11 online sports betting licenses.
State Rep. Zack Stephenson introduced HF 5274, which included the sports betting framework from HF 2000. HF 2000 would have set taxation and penalties for the sports betting industry. Charitable gaming and the horse racing industry would receive a portion of the sportsbook revenue.
Senators from both sides of the aisle also created drafts for potential sports betting bills. SF 1949 and SF 5330 floated varying tax rates for sports betting, but nothing is expected to pass the Senate in 2024. SF 1949 was a companion bill to HF 2000. It would have increased the tax on sports betting revenue from 10% to 20%. SF 5330 had much of the same framework, but it set taxation at 40%.
What’s Next for Minnesota Sports Betting Legislation?
Until lawmakers work out a blueprint for sports betting in Minnesota, the state’s sports bettors will continue to travel to Iowa, where they can sign up to use a legitimate sportsbook the moment they cross Minnesota’s southern border. The illegal offshore sites will also continue to thrive until the legislative stalemate ends.
Sports betting supporters in the MN House and Senate tried to craft a bill that would placate several interest groups.
“In the last few days we proved that we could find a deal that all the major stakeholders could live with,” Sen. Stephenson said in a post on social media. “Tribes, tracks, charities … That’s meaningful progress that can be a foundation for the future.”
Who Supports Minnesota Sports Betting?
The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association operates 19 casinos around the state. The group would likely have exclusive rights to partner with sports betting operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM.
Allied Charities of Minnesota relies on revenue from electronic pull-tab machines, but a 2023 law made gameplay more tedious and, therefore, less profitable. Essentially, the law eliminated an “open all” option, so players must now open each e-tab individually. That throttled down the pace for gamers, which in turn reduced the proceeds for Allied Charities.
Why does that matter for sports betting? The non-profits have a pending lawsuit over the e-tabs. Some lawmakers want to resolve the issue by diverting some sports betting revenue to Allied Charities.
What Are the Roadblocks to Minnesota Sports Betting?
The Minnesota Racing Commission wants to protect its share of the gambling market. Versions of the House and Senate sports betting bills included money for Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus.
Based on reports from St. Paul, the racing commission may have complicated sports betting legislation on April 1 when it approved the addition of up to 500 Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines at each racetrack. The machines do feature handicaps for random horse races of the past, but, in practice, they closely resemble slot machines.
That has riled lawmakers as well as the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association. A sports betting bill may be amended to include language that bans HHR machines.
Meanwhile, Minnesota gambling opponents in the legislature might be persuaded to change their vote if the final version of the sports betting bill prohibits bets once a game has started.
There is also a national effort to eliminate stat-based prop bets at the college level. For example, this would prevent bets on whether a Minnesota Golden Gopher running back rushes for over or under 75 yards in a game.
Gambling-hesitant lawmakers will expect responsible gaming guardrails as well, including a hotline and increased mental health funding from sports betting revenue.
Minnesota Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
- May 20, 2024 — HF 5274 replaced HF 2000 as the most viable sports betting bill. It emerged in the final week of the legislative session with support from tribes, racetracks, and charities, but the Minnesota Legislature ran out of time.
- May 2, 2024 — Prospects for a sports betting bill dim even as HF 2000 is referred to the Ways and Means Committee. At the start of April, Sen. Matt Klein gave sports betting a 60-70% chance of passing. One month later, Klien told MPR the odds are now at about 20%.
- April 30, 2024 — With a 12-9 vote, HF 2000 received support from the House Taxes Committee, so the Minnesota sports betting bill moved on to the Senate. State Rep. Greg Davids says the bill will probably pass the House but not the Senate.
- April 4, 2024 — A Monday Minnesota Racing Commission (MRC) effort to legalize Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines caused a setback for sports betting supporters. HHR machines at the tracks are seen as de facto slot machines, which creates competition for tribal casinos. Sports betting needs support from both the MRC and the tribes.
- March 14, 2024 — SF 1949 offered a path to bring sports betting to Minnesota when supporters amended the proposed tax on sports betting from 10% to 20%. The extra tax amount would replace money lost when the state added restrictions to its electronic pull tab laws.
- March 8, 2024 — Sen. Jordan Rasmusson proposed changes to another sports betting bill, SF 1949. It would have banned in-game betting.
- Feb. 20, 2024 — Reps. Zack Stephenson and Elliot Engen reintroduced HF 2000 as a carryover from the 2023 session. The bill set the framework for sports betting and fantasy sports rules and taxation. It was referred to the House Commerce and Finance Committee.
- Feb. 13, 2024 — Gov. Tim Walz told reporters, “I would guess they’ll probably get close to getting something done” when asked about efforts to legalize sports betting.
- Feb. 12, 2024 — The Minnesota Legislature convened, and sports betting was considered a key agenda item. Political reporters in Saint Paul see bipartisan support for legislation that would make Minnesota sports betting a reality.
Other Types of Gambling in Minnesota
While legislators continue to work on moving sports betting forward in the state, other options exist, such as daily fantasy sports, social sportsbooks, and activities like Super Bowl squares. Read more about these alternatives below.
| 💰DFS | ✅ Yes |
| 💸 Lottery | ✅ Yes |
| 🐎 Horse Racing (Pari-mutuel wagering) | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Fliff Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| 🪙 Rebet Social Sportsbook | ✅ Yes |
| ♠️ Esports | ❌No |
| 🤑Online Casinos | ❌No |
Daily Fantasy Sports in Minnesota
No official legislation has made DFS legal in Minnesota, but it is not illegal either. Hence, you can play DFS in the Gopher State. A wide variety of operators and games are available, from the familiar DraftKings DFS and FanDuel Fantasy to newer providers such as the Sleeper betting app, Underdog DFS, and the Betr app. Click on any of the links for reviews and new user offer information.
Social Sportsbooks in Minnesota
Free-to-play social sportsbooks, like Fliff Sportsbook, offer all the traditional wagers of real money sportsbooks, from moneylines to spreads to totals. Winnings from virtual currency, known as Fliff Cash, can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Another social sportsbook gaining notice is the Rebet betting app. Here, you compete on a community-based platform for Rebet Coins, which can be exchanged for prizes once you reach a certain level.
Horse Race Betting in Minnesota
Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is legal in Minnesota. The state is home to Canterbury Park, which hosts live Thoroughbred racing. Plus, Running Aces holds live Standardbred (harness) racing.
Canterbury Park is located in Shakopee, Minn., and its live meet runs from mid-May to September. Running Aces, which is located in Columbus, Minn., also has its meet run from mid-May to September.
While Minnesota residents cannot wager on tracks within the state, including Canterbury Park and Running Aces, through some of the best horse racing apps like FanDuel Racing, mobile wagering at Canterbury Park is allowed through 1/ST Bet, Canterbury Park’s exclusive wagering application. Residents can wager on other tracks outside of the state, however, using the FanDuel Racing app.
Minnesota State Lottery
The Minnesota Legislature created a state lottery in 1989. It is governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 349A. However, you can not purchase lottery tickets or games online as the Minnesota State Legislature voted to end the Minnesota Lottery’s ability to sell scratch tickets on the Lottery’s website. All online, pump, and ATM sales ended on Aug. 31, 2015.
How to Bet on Sports in Minnesota Following Legalization
At the moment, you can’t place any bet in Minnesota. If you want to place a legal bet, you first have to hop in your car, then drive across the border to Iowa to download a legal sportsbook app.
That said, we can show you what to expect as you learn how to bet on sports in Minnesota. The sports betting process should look something like this:
Choose and Download a Legal MN Sportsbook
Choose your sportsbook of preference, then download it to your device of choice. Once downloaded, the sportsbook should install automatically.
When deciding on a sportsbook, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. One thing to consider is which app are among the fastest payout betting sites. Once you’ve chosen a mobile app to use, you’ll need to download the sportsbook of your choice from any operators that receive licenses in Minnesota.
Create Your Account
You should then be able to make your account by providing some pieces of personal information like your Social Security number and date of birth. Always make sure to double check that your personal information is entered correctly. Having a typo in an address or having a mistake in your Social Security number will prevent you from being able to create your account.
Claim Your Welcome Bonus
Should the day come when Minnesota sports betting apps are legal, you will want to make sure you claim any sign-up and sportsbook welcome bonuses available. Many top sportsbooks provide welcome bonuses for new account holders as an incentive for trying — and hopefully keeping — their mobile app. Welcome bonuses usually feature bonus bets or deposit match bonuses.
Fund Your Account
Most sportsbooks offer a variety of ways to fund your account. After your identity is verified, you’ll be able to fund your account using several remote methods like credit or debit card transfers, bank wire transfers, PayPal, and so on.
Place Your First Bet
After a deposit, you can place a bet using wagers such as moneyline bets or parlays.
Since there are a variety of wagers available you may need help deciding what wagers to place. Be sure to check out Gaming Today‘s Implied Probability Calculator.
Sports To Bet on in Minnesota
It’s a shame that Minnesota mobile sports betting isn’t legal yet, as the state is home to several professional and college sports teams that would receive immediate support from their loyal fans.
If and when sports betting comes to Minnesota, expect to be able to put money down on major Minnesota professional sports teams. Residents can also choose to back teams from every major US sport.
| Team | League |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 🏈 NFL |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 🏀 NBA |
| Minnesota Wild | 🏒NHL |
| Minnesota Twins | ⚾️ MLB |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers | 🏉 College Football ⛹🏻♂️ College Basketball |
| Minnesota Lynx | 🏀 WNBA |
NFL Betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings have the dubious distinction of being the NFL franchise with the highest winning percentage among teams still looking for their first Super Bowl win.
Minnesota is coming off a 7-10 season, but the organization feels it has many of the pieces it needs to end the drought. The team’s next quarterback may be key to success in 2024. QB Kirk Cousins missed much of the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles tendon. He’s in Atlanta now. The Vikings hope first-round pick J.J. McCarthy can win the starting job.
NBA Betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Timberwolves made their NBA debut as an expansion team at the start of the 1989-90 season. The still-young franchise didn’t reach the second round of the playoffs until the memorable 2003-04 season when the Kevin Garnett-led Wolves made the Western Conference Finals.
Minnesota is on a streak of three straight playoff appearances. On April 28, 2024, the Timberwolves earned their first playoff series win since the 2003-04 season when they knocked off the Phoenix Suns in four games in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Led by superstar Anthony Edwards, Minnesota would go on to defeat the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Timberwolves forward Naz Reid is the 2023-24 Sixth Man of the Year.
NHL Betting in Minnesota
Minnesota got its NHL team back when the Minnesota Wild debuted at the start of the 2000-01 season. The team reached the conference finals in its third season, but playoff runs have been few and far between since then. First-round exits have been common, and the team missed the playoffs in 2024.
Betting on the NHL is something most MN hockey fanatics should be well versed in. Also, consider looking at NHL player props (by game or future awards) for your favorite Wild players.
MLB Betting in Minnesota
The Minnesota Twins relocated from Washington DC in 1961 and remain the only major sports franchise to bring a world championship to the Twin Cities. In fact, they have World Series rings from both the 1987 and 1991 seasons.
The Twins are the defending AL Central champions. In 2023, they ousted the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card round. Catcher Ryan Jeffers has the team off to a strong start in 2024. Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Chris Paddack provide a quality rotation.
College Sports Betting in Minnesota
College hockey aside, Minnesota is home to a pair of NCAA Division I teams. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the state’s major college program. They compete in the Big Ten Conference.
Meanwhile, the University of St. Thomas Tommies are new to Division I sports. The private school’s teams compete in the Summit League for most sports and the FCS Pioneer League for football.
Six Minnesota hockey programs contribute to a rich NCAA Division I history. The Gophers and Tommies are joined by these schools:
- Bemidji State Beavers
- Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
- Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks
- St. Cloud State Huskies
It’s safe to say that any legal sports betting law would include provisions for college sports betting, at least on teams from out of state.
Types of Bets To Expect in Minnesota
Once legal sports betting arrives in Minnesota, bettors will have hundreds of options to choose from. Here, we break down a few of the most popular choices at regulated sportsbooks.
Spreads
Point spreads are a common bet on sports betting apps. If the Timberwolves are a 6.5-point favorite, it will appear as (-6.5) in any game information. With a -6.5 bet on the Wolves, just winning the game isn’t enough. The team must win by 7 points or more for your -6.5 bet on Minnesota to pay out.
For another example, if the Vikings are a 3.5-point underdog, the spread will appear as (+3.5). That means you can win on a Vikings bet even if they lose the game. They can’t lose by 4 points or more in this example. A 3-point loss is fine at +3.5 because that means Minnesota covered the spread.
Most lines are set with half-points to establish a clear winner and loser. If the Vikings spread is +3 and they lose by 3 points, that’s a push at the sportsbook. You get your money back, but you don’t win anything.
Moneylines
Moneyline bets are among the most common wagers a bettor can make. They will be some of the first numbers you see if betting becomes legal in Minnesota.
Numbers for favorites and underdogs are based on a $100 system, but you can place a bet for other amounts.
- An underdog will have a “+” symbol. So, a bet on the Twins to win at +135 means you’ll win $135 on a $100 bet.
- Favorites will have a “-” symbol. If the Minnesota Wild are -140 to win, that means you would need to risk $140 to win $100.
Gaming Today’s moneyline calculator is easy to use. It can help you with the math based on amounts other than $100.
Totals
Moneylines and spreads ask you to pick a winner based on how teams perform against each other. However, a total—also called the over/under—is a bet on the final score regardless of who wins.
An NBA total might look like this:
- O 212.5 (-110)
- U 212.5 (-110)
That means you’ll need to risk $110 to win $100 on the total points scored. If you bet the Over, a 108-105 outcome wins because the final score adds up to 213 points. The under wins if the final score adds up to 212 or less.
Props
Prop bets are wagers that have nothing to do with a game’s outcome. Here are some player prop examples.
Ty Chandler rushing yards
- O 60.5 (-130)
- U 60.5 (+110)
J.J. McCarthy passing touchdowns
- O 2.5 (-140)
- U 2.5 (+110)
If you think Chandler will rush for 61 yards or more, a $130 bet on the over wins $100. A $100 under bet on J.J. McCarthy means you think he’ll have two or fewer touchdown passes. You’d win $110 based on the odds.
Prop bets are easy to follow and can keep more casual fans engaged at a watch party.
Futures
Futures bets are high-risk, high-reward wagers focusing on a season instead of a game.
A pre-training camp line for the Vikings to win the Super Bowl sits at +8000. Thus, a $100 bet would win $8,000.
Futures bets can also display the Vikings’ odds to make the playoffs, to win the NFC North, or to win the NFC. (Those odds would all be shorter than for MN winning the Super Bowl.)
Parlays
Parlay betting is a popular bet across the country. It is a high-risk, high-reward betting option. Sports betting apps allow you to stack multiple sports picks, called legs, into a single bet.
For example, on a December Sunday, you can choose J.J. McCarthy to throw for 250 or more yards (leg 1) and choose Kirill Kaprizov to score a goal in a Wild game on the ice (leg 2).
You’ll get a bigger payout if both guesses are correct, but if one of the two legs misses, you lose the whole parlay.
Sports Betting Apps That Could Launch in Minnesota
It’s difficult to say which sports betting apps will eventually make it to Minnesota, as there is no provisional legislation currently on the table about tethering, operator limitations, etc.
Despite this, we expect several big names in mobile sports betting to apply for licensure if and when Minnesota legalizes this activity.
| Sports Betting Apps | Rating | Top Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 BetMGM | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 | Best Overall Sports Betting App |
| 📱 FanDuel | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 | Best User Experience when Using an App |
| 📱 DraftKings | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 | Beginner-Friendly Props & Competitive Odds |
| 📱 bet365 | ⭐ 4.7 / 5 | Wide Selection of Betting Markets |
| 📱 Caesars Sportsbook | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | Generous Rewards Program |
| 📱 BetRivers | ⭐ 4.25 / 5 | Good Variety of Promotions and Contests |
BetMGM Sportsbook
A competitive mobile sportsbook with excellent live betting, a great loyalty program, and a great first-bet offer, the BetMGM app is compatible with Android and iOS. It scores especially high on availability and ease of download. If the BetMGM app goes live in Minnesota, users will find highly competitive odds.
- Key features: Same game parlays, live streaming, daily prop specials
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
Caesars Sportsbook
The Caesars Sportsbook offers attractive odds, good betting markets, and a worthwhile loyalty program that rewards you for using the app daily. Odds were powered by William Hill when sports betting saw its national expansion in 2019. Of course, Caesars is one of the best-known brands in Vegas and beyond. Availability is a cornerstone. Caesars is also consistent in ease of download, bonuses and promotions, as well as odds vs. the competition.
- Key features: Fast payouts, same game parlays, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.7; Google 4.3
FanDuel Sportsbook
The FanDuel app will likely be a top pick for Minnesota sports bettors due to its excellent quality and generous opening bonus. It’s a national market leader for sports betting and is DraftKings’ primary rival. FanDuel’s polished app will be easy to download, and it scores high in availability as a national brand. It got its start in the daily fantasy sports space, and users benefit from the company’s long history.
- Key features: In-game wagering, early cash outs, online betting guide
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is known as a mobile sports betting industry giant thanks to its well-developed app, excellent market depth and variety, and competitive odds. It might be in a prime position to move into Minnesota as it is already live in Iowa, arguably Minnesota’s most significant competitor for sports betting revenue. Android and iOS compatibility will be no problem if DraftKings secures a spot in the Minnesota market.
- Key features: Same game parlays, user-friendly interface, odds boosts
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App Store rating: Apple 4.7; Google 4.6
bet365 Sportsbook
The bet365 app is a well-known UK brand quickly expanding its footprint in the US, so a new Minnesota market would certainly draw the company’s interest. The bet365 app is easy to download on Android and iOS systems. Once customers get started, they will enjoy quality bonuses and features. Plus, bet365 carries more than 30 sports, making it one of the best apps for variety.
- Key features: Early payouts, bet boosts, flexible use of bonus bets
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.6
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers has a smaller national profile than its competitors listed above, but it may have some of the best bonuses around. That will be important for first-time users if sports betting comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The app has a strong variety. All major US college professional and college sports are available. You’ll find plenty of international sports and competitions on the BetRivers betting menu.
- Key features: Early cashout, live betting, same game parlays
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.4
Other App Choices
- Fanatics: Originally from Australia and known as PointsBet, the rebranded Fanatics Sportsbook is looking to expand its American influence. Minnesota could be the perfect opportunity to do so. Users can receive FanCash, which can be applied to bonus bets or Fanatics merchandise.
- ESPN BET: Penn Entertainment switched its sports betting partnership from Barstool Sports to ESPN in 2023. So, when you see betting information on an ABC/ESPN channel, you’ll see Penn odds via North America’s massive sports content provider.
Keep in mind that these are all just speculated operators. Minnesota’s final list of legal sportsbooks could change significantly over the coming months and years.
What To Look for in Minnesota Sports Betting Apps
Minnesota has more pro franchises than Wisconsin and a larger population than Iowa and its neighbors to the west. Consequently, it would be an attractive addition to the list of states with legal sports betting.
Once sports betting becomes legal in Minnesota, bettors will likely have their choice of sports betting apps and sites. Consider signing up for multiple sportsbooks when that day arrives. Here’s what to look for.
Sportsbook Welcome Offers
Browse Gaming Today to find bonus offers for the best sports betting apps. Most bonuses are triggered exclusively with your first bet or first deposit. Often, the bonus amounts disappear within 7-14 days if they go unused.
You may need to place bets using the bonus credits multiple times (called a playthrough) before it becomes eligible as a real-money withdrawal from your sportsbook account.
Playthroughs should apply only to the credits that a sportsbook deposited in your account as a sign-up reward. (If they apply to your deposit as well, that’s not a very favorable bonus.) All reputable sportsbooks will promptly pay out winnings for any bet backed by your real money deposit.
Consider the bonus amounts and rules as you pick your newest sports betting apps.
Look and Feel
We use a variety of criteria when rating the best US sports betting apps. One of the main things we consider is how clean and user-friendly the sportsbook interface is and if the apps are designed to quickly guide users to their favorite sports and events.
Users should ask themselves key questions. Is it easy to find games and create the betslip? Is it easy to make a deposit or withdrawal? How fast are the game updates for live betting?
Top brands, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365, and BetRivers, all have well-established interfaces to create a pleasant betting experience.
Competitive Pricing
Each sportsbook employs analysts who use algorithms to set game odds.
The timing and process vary from company to company, however. Minnesota bettors will want to take advantage of the variety—even if the difference is + or – 0.5 points for an upcoming game.
Odds differences are even more pronounced in futures betting. A correct $100 college football bet on Texas to win the national championship could yield $700 at BetMGM, while the same bet could cash out at $850 using Bet365.
Vig is another factor in pricing. Bookmakers add a percentage to odds as a fee for their role in accepting a bet. That “vig” percentage also varies from sportsbook to sportsbook. Use a no-vig, fair odds calculator to remove the house edge and see a game’s true odds.
How Minnesota Sports Betting Compares to Nearby Markets
Minnesota’s situation isn’t that different from the betting landscapes in other states where Native American tribes have monopolies on gambling activities. For example, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Florida have all been slow-coming with their legal sportsbook markets largely because of pushback from local Native American tribes.
Of course, when it comes to revenue from betting, Minnesota fares poorly compared to states with legal sports betting. As sports betting becomes a success across the country, Native American tribes may decide to soften their opposition and opt for a more diplomatic solution.
Every year without a legal sports betting market means another year of lost revenue for Minnesota lawmakers and government initiatives.
Minnesota Sports Betting Revenue Projections
Minnesota’s lack of sports betting legalization has confused analysts for some time, partly because of the sports betting revenue the state government is forgoing.
For example, Iowa—the nearest state with legal sports betting for many Minnesota residents—has enjoyed excellent sports betting revenue during the last few years. Official data indicates that Iowa saw a particularly profitable 2023 budget year when sports betting generated about $12.9 million in state taxes.
Minnesota’s population is about 44% larger than Iowa. If sports betting rules, tax rates, and participation were all identical, Minnesota, in theory, could have generated about $18.6 million from its larger population base in FY2023.
This is the kind of revenue Minnesota’s state government could expect if it launched legal sports betting in the near future. Time will tell whether Minnesota’s potential sports betting market will grow to rival Iowa’s or if it will be too little, too late.
Minnesota Responsible Gaming
Any state with gaming activity needs to institute responsible gaming measures. Minnesota does just that through the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG), which offers resources and advocacy for those struggling with problem gambling.
Some of the resources available through the MNAPG include:
- Gambler’s Anonymous (GA) www.minnesotaga.com, 1-855-222-5542 (1-855-2CALLGA)
- You can also visit this website for a list of worldwide GA meetings.
- GAM-ANON The toll-free helpline is 1-888-435-7166 (1-888-HELP1MN). www.gam-anon.org
- Smart Recovery 440-951-5357 smartrecovery.org
Minnesota Sports Betting FAQ
No. You can’t place bets on sporting events using real money in Minnesota. Even so, Underdog Fantasy, Sleeper, and Betr have contests with cash prizes for sports picks.
The Minnesota Legislature didn’t reach an agreement to legalize sports betting in 2024. The 2025 legislative session will convene in January 2025. Licensing takes a few months, so the fall of 2025 is a possible target for Minnesota sports bets to begin.
DraftKings Fantasy Sports contests are available, but DraftKings online sports betting and online casinos are not options in Minnesota.
Yes, once it is fully licensed and legal. However, if an online sportsbook app isn’t licensed by your state, you should not use it.
When Minnesota legalizes sports betting, users will need to be within state borders to bet. That means eligible visitors and residents alike would have the green light to place sports bets.
Minnesota will likely appoint a special committee or gaming department to regulate online sportsbook apps.
You will likely need to be 21 or older to bet online in Minnesota.
The best sportsbooks carry all of the major American sports and international sports. You’ll find bets off the beaten path, too, depending on the sportsbook.
Recent Minnesota Sports Betting News
How the Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Failed to Pass in 2024
Research Firm Sees $9.5 Billion in Illegal Gambling Costing States
Minnesota Sports Gambling Effort Runs Out of Time in 2024 Legislative Session
Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Passes House Committee
Third Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Emphasizes Responsible Gambling, Prevents Wagering at Schools
Is Minnesota Next? Here’s a List of Legal Sports Betting Markets
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