Minnesota does not have a regulated real-money online poker market. The state has not authorized online poker operators, so regulated platforms such as PokerStars, WSOP Online, and BetMGM Poker do not offer their real-money poker products to players physically located in Minnesota.

The state’s position on other forms of online poker has also become clearer. In 2025, Minnesota gambling enforcement officials and Attorney General Keith Ellison took action against online gambling operators, including sweepstakes casinos and sites offering poker, directing them to stop serving Minnesota players.

That means sweepstakes poker should not be considered a legal alternative to regulated online poker in Minnesota. State officials have specifically taken the position that using virtual currencies or a sweepstakes structure does not make online gambling lawful under Minnesota law.

Players can still use genuine free-play poker platforms that do not involve real-money wagering or redeemable cash prizes. Minnesota also has an established live poker market, including regulated card rooms at the state’s two licensed racetracks.

This guide explains the current status of Minnesota online poker, the state’s crackdown on sweepstakes gambling, free-play alternatives, live poker options, and what would need to happen before regulated online poker could launch in the North Star State.

Is Online Poker Legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not authorize or regulate real-money online poker.

The state has not established a licensing framework for online poker operators, meaning regulated US platforms such as PokerStars, WSOP Online, and BetMGM Poker do not offer real-money poker to players physically located in Minnesota.

Minnesota authorities have also taken a strong position against unregulated online gambling.

In June 2025, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division contacted 14 online gambling operators and warned them of potential violations of Minnesota gambling law.

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office followed up in November 2025, directing the same operators to stop offering online gambling services in the state.

The enforcement effort targeted both sweepstakes casinos using virtual currencies redeemable for prizes and websites offering more traditional forms of online gambling, including poker.

As a result, Minnesota players currently have no state-regulated real-money online poker option.

Real-Money Online Poker in Minnesota

There are currently no regulated real-money online poker sites operating in Minnesota.

Minnesota is not part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, and the state does not have an online poker law allowing operators to obtain licenses.

That means Minnesota players cannot access the regulated real-money products offered by major US poker networks while physically located within the state.

This includes:

• PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel
• WSOP Online
• BetMGM Poker
• BetRivers Poker
• DraftKings Electric Poker

These operators offer regulated poker in states that have specifically authorized online poker, but Minnesota has not created a comparable market.

Some offshore poker sites may attempt to accept Minnesota players. These sites are not licensed or regulated by Minnesota, and the state has taken enforcement action against online gambling operators serving Minnesota without authorization.

Pokerfuse does not recommend offshore poker sites. Players using an unregulated site do not receive the consumer protections available in regulated US online poker markets, and Minnesota regulators have limited ability to assist players with disputes involving unauthorized operators.

Are Sweepstakes Poker Sites Legal in Minnesota?

Sweepstakes poker should not be considered a legal alternative to regulated online poker in Minnesota.

Sweepstakes poker platforms commonly use two virtual currencies. One is generally intended for social or free-play games, while another can be used to play games and potentially redeem prizes for cash or cash equivalents.

Operators have traditionally argued that this structure constitutes sweepstakes gaming rather than conventional gambling.

Minnesota authorities disagree with that interpretation when the model involves gambling for redeemable prizes.

In June 2025, the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety contacted 14 online gambling sites and warned them that their operations could violate Minnesota wagering laws.

Attorney General Keith Ellison escalated the state’s response in November 2025 by sending cease-and-desist letters to those same operators.

The Attorney General’s action specifically targeted social sweepstakes casinos where virtual coins can ultimately be exchanged for cash or prizes, as well as other websites offering sports betting, poker, and casino gambling.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, calling poker chips or gambling credits virtual currencies does not change the underlying nature of the activity when players are wagering for real-world prizes.

For Minnesota players, the practical takeaway is straightforward: Pokerfuse does not recommend sweepstakes poker sites as an alternative to regulated online poker in Minnesota.

Minnesota Sweepstakes Legislation

Minnesota lawmakers also considered legislation in 2026 that would explicitly prohibit online sweepstakes games.

SF 4474, with HF 4410 as its House companion, defined an online sweepstakes game as an internet or mobile game that uses a dual-currency system, allows players to exchange currency for prizes or cash equivalents, and simulates casino-style or other gambling.

The proposal would prohibit a person or company from operating, conducting, or promoting an online sweepstakes game in Minnesota.

SF 4474 passed the Minnesota Senate by a 62-3 vote on April 30, 2026 and was subsequently sent to the House.

However, the proposal did not become law during the 2026 legislative session.

That does not mean Minnesota authorities consider sweepstakes gambling permissible under existing law. The Attorney General and Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division had already taken the position that sweepstakes-based online gambling violates existing Minnesota wagering laws before lawmakers considered the more explicit prohibition.

Free-Play Poker in Minnesota

Minnesota players can still use genuine free-play poker platforms that do not involve real-money wagering or cash-equivalent prize redemptions.

These games use play-money chips that have no monetary value and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Free-play poker is fundamentally different from the dual-currency sweepstakes model targeted by Minnesota authorities because players are not wagering for redeemable prizes.

Free poker can be particularly useful for beginners looking to learn:

• Poker hand rankings
• Betting structures
• Table positions
• Betting rounds
• Tournament mechanics
• Basic poker strategy

Social poker games and poker training platforms can also provide opportunities to practice without risking money.

However, play-money poker generally does not replicate the strategy of a real-money poker game. When chips have no monetary value, players tend to make looser and less realistic decisions.

For that reason, free-play poker is most useful for learning the rules and mechanics of poker rather than recreating the experience of a regulated real-money poker room.

Live Poker in Minnesota

Although Minnesota does not have regulated online poker, players can legally play live poker in the state.

Minnesota law permits card clubs at licensed racetracks, and the state’s two racetracks offer regulated card-room gambling.

The two primary live poker destinations are Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in Columbus.

These card rooms operate under the oversight of the Minnesota Racing Commission, which regulates horse racing and card playing at licensed racetracks.

Minnesota’s card rooms use an unbanked model in which players compete against one another rather than against the house. The card room collects fees for operating the games.

Live poker offerings can include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, tournaments, and other approved poker formats, although available games and schedules vary.

For Minnesota poker players looking to play for real money within a state-regulated environment, these live card rooms provide an alternative that is not currently available online.

What’s Next for Online Poker in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not currently have legislation establishing a regulated online poker market.

Recent gambling-expansion debates in the state have focused primarily on sports betting rather than online poker or broader online casino gaming.

Any future online poker market would require Minnesota lawmakers to establish a legal and regulatory framework for the activity.

That could theoretically happen through legislation specifically authorizing online poker or as part of a broader expansion of regulated online gambling. Minnesota does not necessarily have to legalize every form of online casino gaming before it could authorize poker.

Any proposal would also have to navigate Minnesota’s existing gambling landscape, particularly the role of tribal gaming operators, racetracks, and other stakeholders.

For now, there is no announced launch date or approved framework for regulated Minnesota online poker.

Until that changes, players looking for legal poker options in Minnesota are limited primarily to genuine free-play poker online and regulated live poker at the state’s licensed card rooms.

Minnesota Online Poker FAQ

Is online poker legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not authorize or regulate real-money online poker.

There are no state-licensed real-money online poker sites available to players physically located in Minnesota.

Can you play online poker for real money in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not have a regulated real-money online poker market.

Regulated US poker networks do not offer real-money games to players while they are physically located in Minnesota.

Can I play PokerStars in Minnesota?

PokerStars does not offer its regulated US real-money poker product to players physically located in Minnesota.

Minnesota has not enacted legislation authorizing regulated real-money online poker.

Can I play WSOP Online in Minnesota?

No. WSOP Online does not operate in Minnesota.

Its regulated US real-money poker network is available only in participating states where online poker has been authorized.

Are sweepstakes poker sites legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota authorities have taken the position that sweepstakes-based online gambling involving virtual currencies redeemable for cash or prizes violates the state’s gambling laws.

In 2025, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division and Attorney General’s Office directed online gambling operators, including sweepstakes operators, to stop serving Minnesota players.

Did Minnesota ban sweepstakes casinos?

Minnesota authorities have taken enforcement action against sweepstakes gambling under existing state law.

Lawmakers also considered SF 4474 in 2026, which would have created an explicit statutory prohibition on dual-currency online sweepstakes games. The bill passed the Senate but did not become law during the 2026 legislative session.

Can I play online poker for free in Minnesota?

Yes. Genuine free-play poker games that do not involve real-money wagering or cash-equivalent prize redemptions remain an option.

These games can be useful for learning poker rules, hand rankings, and basic strategy.

Can I play live poker in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota has regulated live card rooms offering poker.

Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Running Aces in Columbus operate card rooms under the oversight of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Who regulates poker in Minnesota?

Live card playing at Minnesota’s licensed racetracks is regulated by the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Online real-money poker is not authorized or regulated in the state.

Are offshore online poker sites legal in Minnesota?

Offshore poker sites are not licensed or regulated by Minnesota, and Minnesota authorities have taken enforcement action against unauthorized online gambling operators serving players in the state.

Pokerfuse does not recommend offshore poker sites because players do not receive the consumer protections available through regulated US online poker markets.

Will Minnesota legalize online poker?

There is currently no approved framework or announced launch date for regulated online poker in Minnesota.

Future legalization would require lawmakers to establish a regulatory system and resolve the roles of the state’s existing gaming stakeholders.