Minnesota Sweepstakes Casinos Guide (2026): The Top Sites + Legal Updates

Online casinos and sports betting remain illegal in Minnesota, but the state still allows sweepstakes casinos to operate. While a ban came close to passing last year, a lack of support in the Minnesota House has given operators the confidence to keep their platforms active in the market.

Below, we’ll dive into the state of gambling in Minnesota as well as provide an overview of the state’s sweepstakes industry. 

• Retail and online sports betting remain illegal
• Tribal casinos have been legal since 1988
• Lawmakers rejected a proposal to ban sweepstakes casinos in 2026
• ADW wagering on horse racing is legal
• Minnesota considers DFS a game of skill, making it legal
• Online poker exists in a legal grey area in the state

Minnesota has considered legalizing sports betting for years and came close in 2026. The state legislature considered HF 4204 and SF 4139, both of which proposed a regulatory framework for legal sports betting. However, neither advanced out of its chamber.

During the latest effort to legalize sports betting, lawmakers also considered SF 4511, which would have banned prediction markets in Minnesota. This bill passed the Senate, but stalled in the House.

Fortunately, sweepstakes casinos remain legal in the state under federal law. The state considered a pair of bills to ban the industry this year. The Senate passed one bill, but both eventually died in the House. While this means Minnesota sweepstakes casinos can continue to operate, it signals more challenges could be coming in 2027.

Minnesota real-money online casinos remain illegal, and given the state's hesitation on expanding gambling, there is little reason to believe that will change any time soon. 

What’s Legal and What’s Not in the North Star State

Minnesota has not seen a serious effort to legalize real-money online casinos, making it unlikely the industry will be available any time soon.

One reason is the state’s thriving tribal gambling industry, which includes in-person casinos across the state. That success would be threatened if visitors could suddenly play games from home instead of visiting a casino. This costs tribes not only lost wagers, but also money not spent on dining, hotels, and other amenities.

Tribal gaming groups have played a big role in the fight to legalize sports betting. They supported the latest legislation because it gave tribes control of the market. This led to blowback from lawmakers looking to bring in commercial operators to create a more competitive market. As a result, the issue remains deadlocked in the state legislature.

Given the tribes' political power, any effort to legalize online casinos would need their approval to succeed. 

I reviewed several of the most popular sweepstakes casinos in the state, but three stood out. Below are my top three Minnesota sweepstakes casinos and the features that earned them a spot on my list.

Minnesota sweepstakes casinos all look different, but the sign-up process is typically the same. Below is a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started!

1. Set goals for playing: Before signing up, establish what you want to get out of a sweeps platform. Are you looking to win prizes, hone your skills, or simply pass some time? Figuring this out first can help ensure you choose a platform that best fits your needs.
2. Create your account: Head to the homepage of the sweepstakes casino you’d like to use, and look for a button that says “join” or “sign up.” Once you click on it, you’ll be prompted to create a username and password to create your account. After that, click Submit, and you’ll be ready to play.
3. Confirm your welcome bonus: Most of the top Minnesota sweepstakes casinos offer welcome bonuses to help players get started, but they don’t all work the same. Some are automatically added to your account after signing up, while others require a promo code or even a purchase. Be sure to check the details on your welcome bonus to ensure you don’t miss out!
4. Find games you want to play: Now that you've created your account and claimed your welcome bonus, it's time to find games to play. Most platforms offer a search bar to locate games or genres. You can also browse the side or top menu, where games are broken down into categories.
5. Submit redemption request: Once you’ve earned enough sweeps coins, you’ll be able to redeem them for a prize. Start by looking for a button labeled “Redeem” or “Rewards.” This lets you select the prize you’d like, then fill out the required Know Your Customer details to verify your identity.
6. Purchase packs (OPTIONAL): If you’re looking to earn redemptions, purchasing coin packs can be a big help. To see the options your platform offers, go to the store or shop from the home page. Select the package you want, then enter the details for an accepted payment method. Be sure to check for any available bonuses, which can add free multipliers to the pack you purchase.

Players will find a wide range of games from the sweepstakes casino industry, many of which are common in real-money online casinos. Below are some of the most popular games with Minnesota sweepstakes players.

Arcade Games

Arcade games offer an alternative to classic casino games while still letting players win gold coins. These games can range from a simple coin flip to sports games. While these games are fun, their rules are unique, so it's crucial to read them before you start playing.

Crown Coins Casino hosts a solid collection of Arcade games, including Survivor. The game features a giant spinning board filled with different-colored balls. Players bet on which color the final ball to spin off the board will be for a chance to win gold coins.

Live Games

A staple of the best Minnesota social casinos is live games, which let players compete with or against each other. Some allow players to interact and offer a scoreboard to see how you stack up. Table games dominate most live game sections, though many platforms offer far more.

Mega Bonanza’s social live casino offers only nine titles, but I found them incredibly entertaining. My favorite was the Adventures Beyond Wonderland Live game by Playtech. The game show offers fantastic graphics, and the bonuses available throughout keep players engaged.

Slots

Slot games are by far the most popular option for players at Minnesota sweepstakes casinos. Many platforms boast large game catalogs from well-known studios like Ruby Play and Playtech. The ease and speed of play make slot games a fun choice, but it can also be a quick way to lose gold coins.

Crown Coins Casino offers over 350 different slot games from some of the biggest studios. Its side menu offers many categories, making it easy to find the games I love. I especially love their flashback favorites, which feature games with themes like DJ Crown Rose and Crown Coins Cookout .

Table Games

Sweepstakes casinos tend to focus more on slots than table games, but many offer at least a few options. This gives players a great chance to improve their skills and test strategies without risking their own money. The most common games found on sweepstakes platforms are blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat.

I couldn't find a sweepstakes casino that rivals BigPirate Casino's table game catalog. The impressive platform offers 61 games, including live tables. I took advantage of this while reviewing the site, taking the chance to help myself learn baccarat. 

Mobile apps aren’t available on many Minnesota sweepstakes casinos, which can make them hard to find. If you prefer gaming from a mobile app, you'll find some of the top sweepstakes casino apps available to Minnesota players below.

Sweepstakes casinos offer far more bonuses than their real-money counterparts, making it easy to avoid purchasing coin packs. Below are some of the most common bonuses for Minnesotans.

Welcome Bonuses

This bonus is given to new players who create a new account. Most platforms don’t require a purchase to claim it via a promo code or simply by signing up. However, others offer welcome bonuses on purchases, giving players large multipliers for their initial purchase.

Crown Coins Casino has one of my favorite welcome bonuses, which gives new players 100,000 gold coins and two sweep coins just for signing up.

No Deposit Bonuses

No Deposit bonuses don't require any purchase from the player. These are most common among welcome and daily bonuses, which help keep players' gold coin count high. That makes these easy to claim, which is why I always recommend players keep an eye out for them each time they log in.

BigPirate offers a “Rewards” section featuring many options for no-deposit bonuses in the form of free spins. It requires “Rum coins” to claim, but you can earn them without purchasing a pack.

Purchase Bonuses

These bonuses offer players large multipliers on their first purchase of a coin pack. This is incredibly valuable for players who use pack purchases to earn redemptions faster. Many platforms offer these regularly, so keep an eye out before purchasing a pack.
Mega Bonanza is currently allowing players to get 50,000 gold coins and 25 sweep coins when they make their first purchase of $9.99.

Referral Bonuses

One way to earn a lot of coins with little effort is to take advantage of referral bonuses. These give players coins when a friend signs up through a custom link. However, each has certain requirements the new player must meet for the bonus to be paid out.

Many referral bonuses are competitive, but Mega Bonanza has one of my favorites. They offer 65 sweep coins and provide players with a referral link in their “Get Coins” section.

Daily Log-in Bonus

Most sweepstakes platforms offer daily log-in bonuses, which give players gold coins the first time they log in each day. Some require only a simple log-in to claim, while others include a small wagering requirement. These bonuses can vary widely, so I recommend comparing them when choosing a new platform.

Crown Coins Casino has a seven-day progressive bonus that grows with each consecutive day a player logs in. Players simply need to sign in to claim it, making it one of the most valuable daily bonuses I have seen. 

Sweepstakes casinos don’t always offer many payment methods, but they usually provide enough to keep purchases smooth. Below is a table showing the most common methods available for Minnesota sweepstakes players. 

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is home to 11 federally recognized tribes, which operate casinos across the state. If you’re looking to play real money games, you can visit one of the Minnesota tribal casinos listed below. 

Sweepstakes platforms don’t accept real-money wagers, but problem gambling remains a very real danger. Players sometimes get caught up chasing redemptions and spend more money than they planned. If you're struggling, you can find help in the resources below.