Minnesota is one of only 11 states, and the only one in the whole of the Midwest, which hasn't yet legalized sports betting. That means there are no legal Best Sportsbooks open in the state at this current time.
It's possible that sports betting could be legalized in the North Star State in the future but, until this is certain, real money sports betting is off the table. However, Minnesotans do have a legal alternative in the shape of social sportsbooks. These distinctive sites have a free-play model where players can make sports picks and redeem real life rewards including cash.
Are sportsbooks legal in Minnesota?
At the time of writing, Minnesota is the only Midwestern state that hasn't yet legalized sports betting. This is despite the introduction of numerous bills over the past five years. You can explore the social sportsbooks available to Minnesota residents while the legislative process continues.
- January 2021: Several bills are introduced to make sports betting legal in Minnesota but none of them reach a vote.
- March 2022 and February 2023: Lawmakers in Minnesota introduce various bills but none lead to the legalization of sports betting.
- April 2024: Bill 3414, which would legalize Minnesota sports betting, is considered in the Senate. Further debate is expected to spill into 2026 but Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has stated that he is ready to sign one of these bills into law as soon as it reaches his desk.
Will Minnesota sportsbooks be legal in the future?
It's possible, but it doesn't seem likely any time soon. According to a 2022 poll, close to half the voters in Minnesota supported the legalization of sports betting in the state. Nevertheless, there isn't a prevailing consensus among state officials. Neighboring states like Iowa and Michigan have had legal sports betting for several years, which continues to put pressure on Minnesota legislators to act.
Pros and cons of Minnesota sports betting
There have been several attempts to make Minnesota sports betting legal but none have succeeded so far. Debates are ongoing and require lawmakers to balance up the benefits and disadvantages of legalizing sports betting, including:
- Guarantees a regulated market
- Allows state oversight
- Provides state income
- Boosts Minnesota based teams
- Will require legislative approval
Are other forms of gambling legal in Minnesota?
At the moment, there are three brick and mortar tribal casinos spread across the state. In addition, the Minnesota State Lottery is open to those aged over 18 and Minnesotans can access national lotteries such as the Powerball.
🏇 Is horse racing betting legal in Minnesota?
Yes, since the early 1980s, it has been legal to make parimutuel bets at horse racing tracks such as Canterbury Park and Running Aces. It's not possible to place horse racing bets online in Minnesota.
📋 Who can bet at Minnesota sportsbooks?
At the moment, there are no legal Minnesota sportsbooks so no Minnesota residents are able to join up. However, if sports betting is introduced in the future, you'll have to be aged at least 18 to take part.
💰 Will sportsbook winnings be taxed in Minnesota?
If there's one thing you can depend on, it's that gambling winnings are always subject to taxation. So, if sports betting does become legal in Minnesota, any winnings will also be subject to tax. At the moment, you're required to pay taxes on any gambling winnings, for example from horse racing, at a rate between 5.35% and 9.85%. The final rate depends on a few factors such as how much you win. There's also a federal flat tax rate of 24% on winnings from gambling and these should be declared on your annual return.
Get 100% on any coins purchase up to $100
Sport Welcome Bonus: 5 SC FREE Play
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
Legal alternatives for Minnesota sports fans
There's no legal sports betting in the state yet but sports fans are able to make picks on their favorite teams thanks to free sports betting sites, including sweepstakes sportsbooks. These sites operate according to a completely unique system where, instead of real money, players use virtual currencies to make sports picks.
How do sweepstakes sportsbooks work?
The two forms of virtual token used at sweepstakes sportsbooks are called Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins, although brands may have a specific name for each one. Each token plays a different role and has varying features.
Gold Coins (GC)
Gold Coins are your 'purely for fun' virtual currency. They cannot be redeemed as a real world prize but can be used to make sports picks. So, for example, you could choose which team will win the Super Bowl. If your selection is correct, you'll receive Gold Coin winnings.
Sweepstakes Coins (SC)
Sweepstakes Coins can never be purchased, but may be given to members as a bonus alongside Gold Coin purchases. Sweepstakes Coins are used to make picks in prize mode but, unlike GC, can be redeemed as real life prizes. That can be money, gift cards or other merchandise. Just bear in mind that only SC you've won through making sports picks can be redeemed as a prize. You'll also have to build up a minimum balance of SC; this varies across sportsbooks but is usually around 100 SC.
Both of these virtual currencies are given to players for free through ongoing bonuses and can be won via fun competitions. These are a little different to sportsbook promos but are easy to claim. In addition, it's possible to buy Gold Coins but there's no requirement to do this to play at a sweepstakes sportsbook and doing so won't improve your chances of winning. If you're looking for additional value, check out the latest sports betting apps with free money to see which platforms offer the best sign-up incentives.
Are sweepstakes sportsbooks legal?
As sweepstakes sportsbooks operate according to a free-to-play model, they are totally legal across the States. They're not available in every single state due to individual brand regulations, but you'll find a wide choice in Minnesota. We've highlighted the top sites open in Minnesota in the banners on this page so you can make your choice. For a broader look at what's available, browse our list of the best sweepstakes casinos to find platforms that suit your preferences.
Bear in mind that new sweepstakes sportsbooks are launching regularly, all with something different to offer. We'll update our lists to reflect these fresh options so be sure to check back soon.
Who can join social sportsbooks?
In order to join a social sportsbook, you must be over the age of 18 but, at some sites, the age requirement could be 19 or 21. Our reviews have full details on this so you can check before you join.
Our top-of-the-line sportsbooks
Get 100% on any coins purchase up to $100
Sport Welcome Bonus: 5 SC FREE Play
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
Top sports for Minnesota players
Here's the best part — sweepstakes sportsbooks cover a wide assortment of sports. The exact selection varies by site but you can expect football, basketball, hockey and baseball to be popular options. There's a growing contingent of more niche sports too, such as cycling, darts and athletics, all beaming in from around the globe. Certain college sports are also open for picks at some sites, adding another dimension to your experience. You can also find free picks to help inform your selections across all major sports.
Minnesota is absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to backing the home team, with state representation across all major US leagues. The Vikings remain a perennial NFL draw, while the Timberwolves and Wild bring NBA and NHL excitement respectively. The Twins carry the MLB banner, and the MNUFC continues to grow the soccer fanbase. Check out our NFL Picks and NBA Picks pages for the latest expert analysis heading into the 2025-26 seasons.
| Major League sport | Minnesota team |
| NFL | Minnesota Vikings |
| NBA | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| MLB | Minnesota Twins |
| MLS | Minnesota United FC |
| NHL | Minnesota Wild |
| College sports | The Golden Gophers from the University of Minnesota have an impressive record. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have won 18 Championships and the baseball team holds three National Championships Championships. |
What picks can you make at sweepstakes sportsbooks?
Sweepstakes sportsbooks offer members an assortment of markets, from spreads and totals to same-game parlays and more. This extensive coverage should provide all members with plenty of choice on their favorites plus scope to branch out. New innovations are coming all the time too, opening the door to a wider choice of options and cool, fresh features. Our best bets page is updated daily with expert picks across all major leagues if you want a head start.
Summary — no legal Minnesota sportsbooks but plenty of options
The sports betting landscape in the US changes regularly but, at the moment, there are no concrete indications that sports betting is going to be legalized in Minnesota. This is despite several efforts to legalize sports betting in the state over the past five years. Doing so would bring the North Star State in line with its neighbours, including Iowa, Michigan and South Dakota where legal sports betting has been possible for several years.
Betting on horse racing is possible in Minnesota but, for sports lovers seeking a more rewarding experience, sweepstakes sportsbooks are a viable alternative. They're totally free to join and their virtual currency model means that they are 100% allowed under US law. They offer wide coverage across the most popular sports in Minnesota and a range of pick options, from moneylines to parlays. Play with Gold Coins for fun only or switch to Sweepstakes Coins for the chance to redeem real life prizes. To explore specific platforms, the Fliff review and Thrillzz review are good starting points for Minnesota residents looking for social sportsbook options.
The best online betting bonuses in 2026
Get 100% on any coins purchase up to $100
Sport Welcome Bonus: 5 SC FREE Play
Up to 200 Prophet Cash in first 30 days
Minnesota sportsbooks FAQ
Which betting sites are legal in Minnesota?
At the time of writing, there are no legal sportsbooks open in the state of Minnesota. There are three retail casinos spread across the state and placing bets on horse races is legal. There's also a Minnesota State Lottery. Sports followers don't have to miss out though as sweepstakes sportsbooks provide a legal alternative to real money sports betting.
🏻⚖️ Will online sports betting be legal in the future in Minnesota?
It's possible. There have been various efforts to pass a sports betting bill through the Minnesota legislature but none have been successful. This could change and, if it does, we'll update our guide to bring you the best Minnesota sportsbooks. Until that happens, sweepstakes sportsbooks are a great option in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Are sweepstakes sportsbooks legal in Minnesota?
Yes, sweepstakes sportsbooks are completely legal as they don't involve real money. Instead, players use digital only tokens called Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. Neither has any real world value but both allow you to make picks across a range of sports. Gold Coins are for fun only but any Sweepstakes Coins you win through successful sports picks can be redeemed as real life prizes including money and gift certificates.
