Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Minnesota?
If you’re wondering “is online sports betting Minnesota legal yet?” the answer is no. Minnesota remains one of the last Midwestern states without legal sports betting. Lawmakers have introduced multiple bills to make sports betting legal online, but none have passed. That leaves Vikings fans and casual bettors waiting while their neighbors in Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas already have options. Let’s break down where Minnesota stands, what bills are on the table, and what could come next.
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Online Sports Betting Minnesota: Current Status
As of 2025, online sports betting Minnesota is still illegal. You cannot place legal wagers through apps, retail sportsbooks, or websites inside state lines.
Attempts to legalize betting have been ongoing since 2019. In 2025, lawmakers filed new bills like SF 757 and HF 1842, but they stalled in committee. A key proposal tied 6–6 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee, killing momentum.
For now, Minnesota residents remain locked out while the rest of the online sports betting USA map fills in.
Why Is Sports Betting Legal Online Stuck in Minnesota?
The main reason is disagreement between stakeholders. Minnesota’s 11 federally recognized tribes hold significant influence over gambling policy. They want exclusive rights to operate online sportsbooks, while racetracks and charities want a share of the market.
Without compromise, bills keep failing. Even though public demand is strong, lawmakers haven’t been able to find middle ground. Until then, online sports betting legal efforts will stay stalled.
Public Demand for Online Sports Betting Apps
Minnesota players clearly want access. In 2023, geolocation tech blocked over 1.6 million mobile betting attempts from Minnesotans trying to place wagers on out-of-state sportsbooks.
That demand shows how popular NFL betting and sports betting have become, even in states where it isn’t legal. Residents are crossing into Iowa or Wisconsin to bet, taking tax revenue with them.
Example: A Vikings fan in Minneapolis might drive to Iowa to open DraftKings, place a bet on Justin Jefferson anytime touchdown, and parlay it with the Vikings covering the spread. Legal in Iowa—but not yet in Minnesota.
Online Sports Betting How To (If Minnesota Legalizes)
If lawmakers pass a bill, here’s how online sports betting how to would likely work in Minnesota:
- Choose a licensed sportsbook app like FanDuel, DraftKings, or BetMGM.
- Download the app on your phone.
- Create an account and verify you’re 21 or older.
- Deposit funds with debit, PayPal, or online banking.
- Pick your bets—NFL betting, NBA spreads, or NHL moneylines.
- Confirm and place your wager from anywhere inside the state.
For now, Minnesotans can only imagine this process, but neighboring states show how simple it could be.
Sports Gambling Legal States vs. Minnesota
Minnesota’s situation looks very different compared to other sports gambling legal states.
- Iowa: Sports betting legal online since 2019, with multiple apps and promos.
- Illinois: Launched in 2020 and quickly became one of the top markets in the U.S.
- Wisconsin: Sports betting is live but limited to retail sportsbooks operated by tribes.
Minnesota, by contrast, is stuck in limbo. Lawmakers keep introducing bills, but without consensus, the state stays off the online sports betting USA map.
Latest Bills and Legislative Efforts
The 2025 session saw renewed pushes with SF 757 and HF 1842, companion bills designed to legalize online sports betting. These bills proposed:
- Allowing tribes to operate online sportsbooks.
- Potential revenue-sharing with racetracks and the state.
- Tax revenue directed to state programs.
Despite strong support from some lawmakers, the bills failed to advance. A 6–6 committee vote highlighted the deep divide.
Still, supporters believe future sessions could break the deadlock if compromises are made.
What Minnesotans Can Bet on Legally
Right now, Minnesotans cannot legally use online sports betting apps. However, tribal casinos and charitable organizations operate other forms of gambling, including:
- Slot machines
- Poker rooms
- Charitable pull-tabs and raffles
Sports betting is the missing piece, and demand suggests it’s only a matter of time before it joins the mix.
Online Sports Betting Example: Vikings vs. Packers
Imagine it’s NFL Sunday and the Vikings are playing the Packers. If online sports betting legal changes pass, a bettor in St. Paul could open Caesars, bet on the Vikings moneyline, add a Kirk Cousins passing yards over, and parlay it with the game total going over.
That bet is common in other sports gambling legal states, but for now, Minnesotans must cross state lines to do the same.
The Future of Online Sports Betting Minnesota
The outlook is cautiously optimistic. Lawmakers continue to file bills, and public demand is undeniable. Neighboring markets are thriving, and Minnesota risks losing tax revenue every year it waits.
The most likely path forward involves giving tribes exclusive rights or a strong role in online sports betting apps, with racetracks and charities potentially included through revenue-sharing.
If a compromise is reached, Minnesota could launch quickly, joining the growing list of sports betting legal online states.
Final Thoughts on Online Sports Betting Minnesota
Online sports betting Minnesota is not legal yet, but the push is alive. Failed bills in 2025 show how tough the negotiations are, but demand from NFL betting fans and casual players is only growing.
Neighboring states are already cashing in while Minnesota waits. If lawmakers can reach a deal, Minnesotans will soon join the rest of the online sports betting USA market.
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