NHL Betting: The Best Online Sportsbooks in Minnesota for Hockey

Minnesota is home to the Minnesota Wild and passionate hockey fans across the state. Yet as of December 2025, sports betting remains illegal in Minnesota, despite years of legalization efforts. Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 (introduced January 2025 by Sen. Jeremy Miller) proposes granting up to 11 tribal gaming licenses, aligning tribal casinos and Democratic-majority Senate behind legalization for the first time. For hockey fans in Minnesota, traditional sports betting is currently illegal. However, Daily Fantasy Sports and horse racing betting are legal.

Is NHL Betting Legal in Minnesota?

No. Sports betting is ILLEGAL in Minnesota. Minnesota has NOT legalized sports betting. No online or retail sportsbooks operate legally in Minnesota. You cannot legally bet on NHL games through any licensed sportsbook in the state.

Age requirements:

Proposed sports betting: Would be 21+

Regulatory framework: No sports betting regulator exists in Minnesota because sports betting is not legal. Under proposed legislation, the Minnesota Gambling Control Commission would oversee sports betting.

Why Minnesota has blocked legalization:

Tribal opposition (Minnesota tribes running casinos opposed online betting for years, threatened casino visits). Republican Senate (GOP-controlled Senate blocked efforts). Political gridlock (no consensus between operators and lawmakers). Regulatory concerns (questions about oversight structure).

Major 2025 development: Democratic Senate Control. November 2024 election: Democrats won Minnesota Senate majority for first time in years. This removes a critical blockade to legalization.

Shurzy Tip: Minnesota's been stuck on sports betting for YEARS because the Republican Senate kept blocking it. The November 2024 election flipped the Senate to Democrats. That changes everything. Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 has tribal support + Democratic Senate support = best chance ever.

Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 (January 2025)

What HB 2000 / SF 1900 Proposes

Introduced January 2025 by Sen. Jeremy Miller (DFL):

Key features:

License type: Retail + Mobile (tribal exclusive). Number of licenses: Up to 11 tribal gaming operators. Operators: Minnesota's 11 federally recognized tribes. Retail locations: Tribal casino sportsbooks. Mobile betting: Tribal-operated online apps. Tax rate: 20% on net revenue. Estimated state revenue: $80 million annually. Revenue allocation: Tax relief on charitable gambling, major sporting events, horse racing enhancements, mental health + problem gambling support.

Critical feature: Tribal Exclusivity. The bill grants exclusive sports betting rights to Minnesota's 11 tribes (at least initially). This addresses tribal concerns about casino cannibalization.

Shurzy Tip: Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 is brilliant politically. It gives tribes exclusive control (retail + mobile), which gets tribal support. It generates $80M+ annual revenue, which gets Democratic support. It cuts out commercial operators initially, which simplifies the politics. This is why it has the best chance of passing.

Current Status (December 2025)

• Introduced: January 2025
• Status: Awaiting committee hearings
• Timeline: Minnesota legislative session runs through May 19, 2025
• Next steps: Committee approval, floor votes required before May deadline

Shurzy Take: Act 3.0 is stalled in committee as of December 2025. If it doesn't advance by May 19, 2025, it rolls to the 2026 session. Watch committee hearings closely in January-March 2025.

Alternative Tribal Proposals

SF 5330 (Alternative Tribal Approach)

Also pending in Minnesota legislature:

Permits 11 tribes to apply for sports betting licenses. 40% tax rate (vs. 20% in HB 2000). 75% of tax revenue earmarked for problem gambling resources (vs. 50% in other proposals).

This represents a higher-tax, more problem-gambling-focused approach.

Shurzy Tip: SF 5330's 40% tax rate is brutal compared to Act 3.0's 20%. Tribes would prefer Act 3.0's lower tax. That's why Act 3.0 has better momentum.

Previous Legalization Attempts (2019-2024)

2024 Attempts

HF 4002 / SF 3981 (2024 session):

• Proposed: Tribal-exclusive retail sportsbooks
• Status: FAILED – Did not advance
• Context: Republican-controlled Senate blocked

Earlier Attempts (2019-2023)

Multiple bills introduced but blocked by Republican Senate control.

Shurzy Take: Minnesota's tried to legalize sports betting at least FOUR major times since 2019. Every single attempt failed because Republicans controlled the Senate. The November 2024 election flipped the Senate to Democrats. That's the breakthrough Minnesota needed.

What Options Do Exist for Minnesota Residents?

Option 1: Daily Fantasy Sports – LEGAL

Daily Fantasy Sports are LEGAL in Minnesota.

Available platforms:

FanDuel DFS (NHL contests), DraftKings DFS (NHL contests), PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy, ProphetX.

Status: Explicitly legal under Minnesota law

Age: 18+

Shurzy Tip: DFS platforms are fully legal in Minnesota, no gray area like other states. FanDuel DFS and DraftKings DFS have the deepest NHL contests. PrizePicks and Underdog are easier for beginners with over/under pick'em formats. This is your best legal option for Wild wagering until Act 3.0 passes.

Option 2: Horse Racing Betting – LEGAL

Pari-mutuel horse racing betting is LEGAL in Minnesota.

Available:

• Two race tracks: Canterbury Park and Running Aces
• Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) online sites (licensed)
• Simulcasting facilities

Age: 18+

Regulator: Minnesota Racing Commission

Option 3: Tribal Casino Gaming – LEGAL (No Sports Betting)

Minnesota has numerous tribal casinos offering slot machines, table games (Class II/III gaming), but NO sports betting (currently illegal).

Option 4: Minnesota State Lottery – LEGAL

The Minnesota lottery is legal (18+) but does NOT include sports betting.

Option 5: Neighboring States – Travel Required

Minnesota borders states with legal sports betting:

• Wisconsin: Tribal casinos only, retail-only (Oneida Casino in Green Bay)
• Iowa: Online betting available with 15+ sportsbooks (21+)
• South Dakota: Deadwood + tribal casinos (retail-only)

Shurzy Tip: If you're in southern Minnesota near Iowa, cross the border and use legal online sportsbooks there. Download FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, or Caesars, register in Iowa (21+), and bet remotely from anywhere in the state. This is the best option for serious NHL bettors stuck in Minnesota.

Read more: NFL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Football Season

Future Outlook for Minnesota Sports Betting

2025 Legislative Session – BEST CHANCE

Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 has the best chance of passage due to:

Democratic Senate majority (new in 2025, critical for DFL support). Tribal support (gaming association open to tribal-exclusive model). Political alignment (tribes + Democrats now aligned).

Potential Timeline If Passed

• May 2025: Bill passes legislature
• June 2025: Governor signs
• August-September 2025: Regulatory implementation begins
• January 2026: Licensed tribal sportsbooks launch (possible)

Realistic Timeline

• May 2025: Bill passes (best case)
• 2025-2026: Regulatory framework implementation
• 2026: Likely launch of tribal sportsbooks

What Success Would Mean

11 tribal gaming operations (retail + mobile). Sharp competition between tribal operators. First Minnesota sportsbooks in state history. $80 million+ annual state revenue.

Shurzy Tip: If Act 3.0 passes in May 2025, Minnesota bettors could see 11 tribal sportsbooks (retail + mobile) by January 2026. That's 11 competing operators for Wild betting. Expect aggressive promotions and competitive odds as tribes fight for market share.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About NBA Prop Betting

Expert Tips for Minnesota Hockey Fans

1. Use DFS Now (Fully Legal): Daily Fantasy Sports are fully legal in Minnesota with FanDuel DFS, DraftKings DFS, and PrizePicks. No legal ambiguity. 18+ age requirement. NHL contests available.
2. Use Horse Racing Betting: Legal pari-mutuel horse racing available at Canterbury Park, Running Aces (in-person), and licensed ADW sites (online).
3. Monitor HB 2000 / SF 1900 Progress: Track the 2025 legislative session with committee hearings likely January-March 2025 and floor votes before May 19, 2025 deadline. If passed, launch could be January 2026.
4. Visit Neighboring States: If you want traditional sports betting now, Iowa (online betting available) or Wisconsin (tribal casinos, retail-only).

Read more: NHL Betting: The Ultimate Guide for the 2025/2026 Hockey Season

Safe, Responsible Hockey Betting

Even without legal sports betting, Minnesota residents can access problem gambling resources:

Responsible Gambling Resources:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Minnesota Department of Human Services: (problem gambling support)
• Gamblers Anonymous: Meetings throughout Minnesota

Never bet money you can't afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses. Track your bets. Stick to a plan.

Final Thoughts: Minnesota's 2025 Opportunity

Minnesota represents one of America's best current opportunities for sports betting legalization, with Democratic Senate control and tribal support aligning for the first time.

Minnesota's 2025 legislative session represents a critical juncture. Passage of Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0 would finally bring legal sports betting to the state, with tribal operators launching retail and mobile sportsbooks by 2026.