Knowledge Base

Date: 24.10.2025

by Roksana Wojtecka

Is Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota

Sports betting is currently illegal in Minnesota, though efforts to legalize and regulate it are underway. In 2025, several bills have been introduced, but none have passed yet. This article reviews Minnesota’s legal landscape, recent reform attempts, and what may lie ahead.

No, sports betting is not currently legal in Minnesota. Despite numerous legislative efforts since 2019, following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the federal ban on sports betting, Minnesota remains among the minority of U.S. states that haven’t legalized sports wagering in any form.

The only forms of sports-related gambling permitted in the state are pari-mutuel betting on horse and simulcast racing at authorized venues like Canterbury Park and Running Aces, as well as Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests, which operate in a legal gray area. 

While sports betting itself is prohibited, Minnesota recently saw the introduction of “sports event contracts” or prediction markets through platforms like Underdog, which began offering single-game prediction markets in Minnesota in September 2025. These services allow users to predict game outcomes for profit but are technically different from traditional sports betting. 

You should be aware that participating in unauthorized sports betting operations, particularly through offshore websites, falls into a legal gray area and may violate state gambling laws.

Sports Betting Reform in Minnesota

Minnesota has made several attempts to legalize sports betting in recent years. The most recent notable efforts include the introduction of the “Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0” by Senator Jeremy Miller in January 2025. This bill proposed allowing Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes to offer both retail and online sports betting, with each tribe eligible for one license.

In April 2025, another Minnesota sports betting bill, Senate Bill 3414, was introduced to legalize and regulate mobile sports betting and daily fantasy contests.

Later, in May 2025, even a proposal merely to study sports betting was rejected when the Senate Taxes Committee voted against a measure “to study, evaluate, provide recommendations and issue a report on the legalization of sports betting.”

The key points of contention include:

  • Tribal exclusivity: Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes have pushed for exclusive control over sports betting, arguing that they should be the sole operators of both retail and mobile sports betting in the state.
  • Racetrack inclusion: Canterbury Park and Running Aces, Minnesota’s two racetracks, have advocated for their inclusion in any sports betting legislation, either through operating their own sportsbooks or partnering with mobile betting platforms.
  • Tax rates and revenue allocation: Proposals have varied in their tax structures, with rates ranging from 20-22% on net revenue from online sports betting and different models for distributing the proceeds.
  • Problem gambling concerns: Some lawmakers have voiced strong opposition based on concerns about addiction and problem gambling, with opponents pointing to increases in bankruptcies in states that have legalized mobile betting.

The path to legal sports betting in Minnesota has faced significant setbacks in 2025. Despite entering the year with what lawmakers described as a promising framework and reportedly having a deal essentially in place, sports betting legislation failed again when the Minnesota Legislature adjourned in May 2025 without passing any of the proposed bills.

Looking ahead, the legalization of sports betting in Minnesota might be possible in 2026, but the chances remain slim due to ongoing disagreements between key stakeholders.

The Minnesota Gaming Control Board would need to craft a bill that addresses revenue-sharing models, regulatory responsibilities, and inclusion of both mobile and retail betting options in a way that satisfies all parties involved.

Currently, there are no legal sports betting apps authorized by the state of Minnesota. Major operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars that operate in states with legal sports betting cannot legally offer their services to users physically located in Minnesota. 

While these apps are preparing for launch, they cannot yet legally accept wagers from Minnesota residents.

While traditional sports betting apps are not legal, Minnesotans do have access to several alternative options that provide similar experiences:

  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) apps: Platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and PrizePicks operate in Minnesota, offering daily fantasy contests that involve selecting players and competing based on their statistical performance.
  • Social sportsbooks and prediction markets: Apps like Thrillzz, Underdog Fantasy, and ProphetX offer prediction-style games where users can use virtual currencies or sweepstakes models to make picks on sporting events.

The Gaming Control Board has indicated that the first authorized mobile betting applications will likely be available to download in January 2026, with a coordinated launch date for all approved operators.

Summary

Sports betting in Minnesota has evolved significantly over recent years, moving from prohibition toward a carefully regulated market that balances tribal gaming rights with consumer demand.

While the state has approved a framework for legal sports wagering, the implementation process continues with retail options expected by late 2025 and mobile betting platforms launching in early 2026.

Minnesota residents interested in legal sports betting should monitor announcements from the Gaming Control Board for official launch dates and approved operators rather than risking participation in unregulated betting markets.

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