Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
Unfortunately, sports betting is not currently legal in the state of Minnesota. While many of its neighboring states have opened their doors to retail sportsbooks and online betting sites, Minnesota continues to hold out and refuse to play ball. For instance,
sports betting in Tennessee
was legalized in 2019, but Minnesota residents haven’t had the same fate.
The Gopher State does permit some very specific types of wagering, such as horse racing at licensed tracks, and the state lottery, however, this does not extend to professional sports or online betting apps.
What can you bet on in Minnesota?
Because traditional sportsbooks are not yet legal, your options for placing a standard bet are extremely limited. As mentioned, you can still head to the racetracks for pari mutuel betting on horse races, or take part in Daily Fantasy Sports and the state lottery. Outside of these very specific niches, other major sports remain off limits for real money wagering. This means no moneylines, no point spreads and no parlays.
That said, we’re going to look at exciting sports prediction opportunities, in the form of sweepstakes sportsbook sites. But for now, let’s take a look at what we think may be coming up in the coming year for sports bettors in the Gopher State.
Gambling law predictions for the coming year
If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ll notice there’s a bit of a shift in tone when it comes to gambling laws in Minnesota. Lawmakers are currently fast tracking Senate File 4511, which would see prediction sites such as Polymarket and Kalshi completely banned.
The Sports Betting Act 3.0 that you may have heard of seems to be a bit stuck as well. This bill proposes a 22% tax rate and strict bans on using credit cards to fund accounts, and it will also block push notifications that are sometimes thought to hassle players into betting. But despite having support from 11 tribal establishments in the area, it’s still getting pushed down the priority list.
So where does that leave Minnesota at the moment? Unlike
sports betting in Michigan, which was legalized in December of 2019, it looks like Minnesota residents will have to wait a little longer for anything to change. While we wait for the lawmakers in the country to decide on which forms of gambling may become legal, the fact is that at present, you can’t make standard sports bets in Minnesota.
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Introducing sweepstakes sportsbooks
Just like
sports betting in Texas
isn’t permitted, Minnesota residents also have to find other ways to enjoy their favorite sports. This is where sweepstakes sportsbooks come in.
These platforms don’t use real money, so are therefore not bound by the same gambling laws as real money sites. Instead, players use two virtual currencies, usually called Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC), and depending on the platform, you can make predictions on a range of sports and redeem your Sweeps Coins for prizes.
We’re going to take a look at how sweepstakes sportsbook sites work in just a moment, and below, we have outlined some basic differences between sweepstakes platforms and their real money counterparts.
| Feature |
Sweepstakes sportsbooks |
Traditional sportsbooks |
| Legal in MN? |
✅ Yes (as a sweepstake) |
❌ No (pending legislation) |
| Entry Fee |
None; free-to-play platforms |
Requires real-money deposits |
| Prizes |
Cash prizes/Gift card redemptions |
Direct cash payouts |
| Age Requirement |
18+ (usually) |
21+ (proposed) |
| Availability |
Mobile app store/web/mobile browser |
Not available in MN |
How do you make predictions using a sweepstakes sportsbook in MN?
First thing’s first: you simply cannot bet on sports at a sweepstakes sportsbook platform. Instead, you can make sports predictions, which is where you can choose to place your Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins on a range of markets. With a sweepstakes sportsbook, no real money play is available.
Some sweepstakes platforms offer very basic ways to play, such as offering picks and social moneyline predictions, whereas others will give you more complex markets, including parlays, point spreads and even props.
Again, it’s important to keep in mind that these are not standard bets made with real money, and you’ll be using virtual currencies with no monetary value at these sites.
By law, all sweepstakes sportsbook sites are free to play at. There are plenty of ways to get yourself Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to play with, including sign up bonuses, daily login bonuses, refer-a-friend programs and social media giveaways. You’re free to purchase Gold Coin packages if you wish, but keep in mind that you can never buy Sweeps Coins, as these are always a gift from the platform. And while you can buy GC packages, these are completely optional and you can still enjoy all of the platform’s offerings without needing to purchase any Gold Coins.
🪙 Gold Coins vs Sweeps Coins – explained
We’ve mentioned Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, but if you’ve never played at a social sportsbook before, then you may not be familiar with these virtual currencies and how they work. Let us explain.
Gold Coins are your everyday virtual currency, and you can use these to place sports predictions and win more Gold Coins in return. They have no monetary value and cannot be taken out of the system in any way.
By contrast, Sweeps Coins, while also used to make sports predictions, can be redeemed for prizes. At some sites, you may be able to redeem your Sweeps Coins for gift cards that can be spent at specific retailers, restaurants and other places, or you can request a cash prize redemption that is sent to your bank account.
There are some SC redemption requirements that differ from site to site, and what you can redeem your Sweeps Coins for will also vary depending on which platform you use.
🎁 How to redeem your Sweeps Coins for prizes
While the specific SC redemption requirements vary depending on which site you’re playing at, all sweepstakes sportsbook sites run a very similar model. In order to redeem your Sweeps Coins for prizes, you’ll first need to meet the playthrough requirement. At many sites, this can be as little as 1x, but some platforms may ask you to play through your Sweeps Coins three or more times.
You’ll also have a minimum SC balance requirement, which is where you must have a minimum amount of redeemable Sweeps Coins in your balance before you are allowed to make an SC redemption request. The minimum amount varies hugely, with some platforms only requiring 50 redeemable Sweeps Coins before you can make an SC redemption request, and others requiring at least 100 SC. It’s also worth noting that, as a general rule of thumb, the minimum balance required for redeeming a gift card is lower than if you want to request a cash prize.
Lastly, you’ll also have to comply with KYC protocol before you can make an SC redemption request. KYC rules are designed to protect players and keep your information safe. This means you’ll have to prove your identity, which involves sending over a copy of your government issued ID and a recent proof of address.
As long as you comply with the SC redemption requirements and KYC procedures, there’s no reason why you can’t redeem your Sweeps Coins for prizes at these social sportsbook sites.
Now that you know how sweepstakes sportsbook sites work, it’s time to take a look at some of our selection of the best sweepstakes sportsbooks that accept Minnesota residents, since they can’t really play in any of the
best betting sites
at the moment.
Legendz – one of the largest social sportsbooks around
Legendz: Pros and Cons
- Available in most US states
- User-friendly interface
- 24/7 live chat support
- Top sports coverage
- Can be tricky for new players
One of the most comprehensive sweepstakes sportsbooks around, Legendz offers a great range of sports, matches, leagues and events on which you can place sports predictions.
You can enjoy moneylines, spreads and totals across all US major leagues and several international soccer markets. Their partnership with Delasport, a leading software provider, means that their odds are extremely competitive for a social sportsbook platform – so this is the perfect site for analytical players who want to maximize their chances.
Currently, you can get a sign up bonus of 500 Gold Coins and 3 Sweeps Coins when you join the site and verify your account. The sign up process takes under a minute, and once you’ve verified your account, your GC and SC will be added immediately.
Onyx Odds – best for live sports predictions
Onyx Odds: Pros and Cons
- Generous promotions
- Popular sports to choose from
- Diverse payment options
- Loyalty program
While some sweepstakes platforms offer casino-style games and a social sportsbook, Onyx Odds has chosen to focus 100% on sports. It’s also designed to be played on a mobile, giving you access to a wide range of sports, odds and markets from the palm of your hand.
The selection of sports is a little smaller than at some other sites, but Onyx Odds has a particularly good live sports feature that allows you to track and make predictions on games as they unfold in real time.
New players can get 1,000 Onyx Coins to play with when you sign up for a new account. This is the site’s version of Gold Coins that you can use to make sports predictions for free. For those willing to spend a little, there’s also an extra sign up promo where you get 100 ‘bonus picks’, if you spend $10 or more on Onyx Coins. Any Onyx Coins purchase is optional, of course.
Prophet X – go up against other players instead of ‘the house’
Prophet X: Pros and Cons
- Exchange-style betting model
- Available in most U.S. states
- Strong mobile app experience
- Welcome bonus requires purchase
- No live chat support
Prophet X, previously known as Prophet Exchange, is a slightly different beast. It isn’t a traditional sweepstakes sportsbook site, and instead, it acts more as a prediction exchange. In this case, you aren’t placing predictions against ‘the house’, your predictions are placed against other players.
This is very similar to a traditional betting exchange that you might find in other states where real-money bets are permitted.
Colorado sports betting
fans, for example, would be allowed to access, and Prophet X is a great platform for residents of Minnesota instead.
Without the house taking a cut, the odds are a lot better at Prophet X. It also gives you the ability to set your own odds and then wait for another player to take the other side.
The site offers same game parlays and you can get up to 200 ‘Prophet Cash’ for the first 30 days after you’ve signed up. In order to trigger this, you’ll have to make a purchase of ‘Prophet Points’, after which you’ll be eligible to start collecting your Prophet Cash.
Thrillzz – best for bonuses and social community
Pros and Cons
- You get a very generous welcome bonus
- Real cash prizes can be won
- Covers a wide array of popular leagues and sports
- Easy-to-navigate mobile app for easy play
- No desktop site available
- Limited payment options
Putting the ‘social’ into social sportsbooks, Thrillzz is a vibrant and lively site that offers both casino-style games as well as sports to predict on. While a lot of sweepstakes platforms stick to simple moneylines, Thrillzz is designed for players who like a bit more variety.
You can make same game parlays, as well as place social player props, on a platform that lets you make all these sports predictions for free via Thrillzz Coins and Thrillzz Sweeps. You get 3,000 Thrillzz Coins plus 3 Thrillzz Sweeps just for opening an account with the site, and beyond that, there are plenty of ways to snap up more TC and TS for free, including daily login bonuses, referrals, and first GC purchase bonuses.
Pros & cons of using sweepstakes sportsbooks in MN
There are more sweepstakes sportsbook options than you know if you’re new to the world of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The platforms we’ve listed above are some of our top picks that can get you started. Here are the general pros and cons of these sites as well:
Pros and Cons
- Wide range of sports to make predictions with
- SC redemption available
- Free-to-play platforms
- Some sports markets are unavailable
Sweeps sportsbook sites offer MN residents a great experience
As we’ve seen, it looks like we’re going to be waiting a while for Minnesota to legalize traditional sports betting. While the state has made some headway in recent years, there seems to be a constant barrage of bills and legislation being proposed that will tighten gambling laws even further.
With sweepstakes sportsbook platforms, residents of the Gopher State can discover a wide range of markets across some truly innovative and exciting platforms. Many of these sites will let you redeem your Sweeps Coins for prizes, making them great platforms to explore for free. We hope we’ve given you the tools today to select your next great social sportsbook, so why not go ahead and join one today and start making sports predictions for free?
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Minnesota sports betting FAQs
⚖️ Is sports betting legal in Minnesota?
Unfortunately, at present, sports betting is not permitted in the state of Minnesota. We may see some changes to the gambling laws in the future, but for now, you are not permitted to place real money wagers at any physical or online sportsbook within the state. That’s why many residents of Minnesota are turning to sweepstakes sportsbook sites, as these sites don’t use real money, and are therefore not bound by the same gambling laws that real money sites must adhere to.
💰 Can I win real money at sweepstakes sportsbooks in MN?
No, you cannot win real money at a sweepstakes sportsbook. These platforms don’t use real money, so it’s impossible to directly win real money back. That said, on many of these platforms you can redeem your Sweeps Coins for rewards that include cash prizes. You must make sure you adhere to the SC redemption requirements before you make a request.
🤔 What’s the best social sportsbook for Minnesota residents?
Choosing the best social sportsbook for you is a question of personal preference. We recommend looking for sites that offer a wide range of markets, as well as competitive odds and plenty of bonuses. Remember, sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks are always free to play at, and a lot of them are very generous when it comes to dishing out Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to their players.
📳 Can I access MN social sports betting sites from my mobile?
Of course! All the best social sportsbooks will offer their players a fantastic mobile experience. You may find a native apps to download from the iOS or Google Play stores, or the site will have been optimized to work on a mobile device perfectly.
No. You never have to pay to use a sweepstakes sportsbook site. These platforms all use a free-to-play model, which means there’s always a way to pick up Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins for free. Of course, you’re also free to purchase Gold Coins in the form of bundles, but this isn’t necessary if you don’t want to. Remember to look out for sign up bonuses, refer-a-friend programs, daily login bonuses and social competitions and giveaways, so that you can top up your GC and SC balances without spending.
