Updated by Lynsey Thompson
Casino Expert
Fact Checked by Michael Graham
Content Editor
Check out the map below to see where Minnesota casinos and racetracks are located across the state.

MN casinos are all operated by First Nations tribes through the tribal-state gaming compacts between the state and the federally recognized tribes. Between them, they set the conditions, regulations, and rules for their ‘Class III’ operations, as none of the casinos are ‘commercial’ enterprises.
Casinos in MN are found across all tribal land, steeped in cultural history, and massively help the local economy. Many of these venues function as casino resorts, meaning visits can range from a few hours to a few days if needed.
Note that sports betting is not currently available at retail venues in this state. What you will have access to are the following:
Resorts offer a place to stay, relax, forget your worries, and take in the surrounding area and culture. Several tribal casinos in Minnesota provide what is a full-service experience through hotels and amenities. From accessing spas to local heritage sites. During your stay at one of the many casino resorts available, you can indulge in some live entertainment, restaurants, golfing, and, of course, the casino.
Besides the three largest MN casinos, visitors also have access to the following casino resorts:
Make a turn off for this venue and enjoy the array of slots, tables, and bingo. Inside the resort area, you have an indoor pool and the outside Dacotah Ridge Golf Course. Live entertainment will keep you up all night, that’s if you’re not too stuffed from the dining options.
Golf and gaming with the serene views of Lake Vermilion. A stunning place where you can unwind with blackjack and slots inside the casino, and with golf and their pool outside the resort. Restaurants include the Tamarack Buffet and the Sunset Steakhouse.
Try clawing your way to a fortune on the tables, slots, and bingo. Perhaps, after, you could play a round of golf on the 72-par course, then relax poolside before an evening's meal in the Steakhouse. Why not end the night in the Cobalt Nightclub?
After you’ve arrived, kicked off those shoes and jumped on the bed a few times, make your way to the casino to enjoy some bingo, blackjack, and slots. After you can bathe in the pool and enjoy the additional spa services. End your day with a fantastic meal at the 201 Bar & Grill.
Modern, sleek, and satisfying to all the senses. Come stay and enjoy electronic poker, slots, bingo, and table games. Take in the Live Show for the evening, but not before you’ve dined in one of the five restaurants.
Wow, there’s a touch of old-school charm about this place that’ll make you smile. Inside the casino, slots and blackjack. Inside the hotel, there is an indoor pool and sauna. Cool down after with a drink at the bar, where you can also experience the NorthStar Buffet.
You can pull up into the RV park if you like and immediately indulge in some casino gaming with blackjack and slots. For those booking a hotel room, you might like to take a splash in the indoor pool before you try out the Meadows Restaurant.
If you’re bringing the kids, I have three words for you: Indoor Water Park. You might forget there’s a casino with slots and tables. The amenities also include an Arcade, along with a vast selection of dining options. You might want to book a hotel room for this experience.
Lake views and a host of entertainment. Step into the hotel and enjoy the whirlpool and indoor pool. Outside, you can enjoy the Area Trail to take in the surrounding scenery. Perfect for bikers and hikers. Back in the casino, you have tables and slots. With all this, don’t forget the dining options to refuel.
If you’re making a quick stop or are just out of town and know the area, but never really took the time to experience what you’ve driven by, then why not give these more boutique tribal casinos a go?
Minnesota casino poker rooms do exist out here, but are limited to certain tribal casinos. In these casinos, players compete against each other, not against the house. The casinos benefit by collecting a rake or tournament entry fee. You will not find stand-alone establishments that provide solely poker entertainment.
The recommended venues for poker games are Mystic Lake, Running Aces Casino, and Canterbury Park. Before you visit, note that tournament times and schedules do vary.
Giddy-up on down to the Minnesota racetracks for high-adrenaline action. In this state, we host two major horse racing facilities:
Canterbury Park, located in Shakopee, is the state’s premier thoroughbred horse racing venue. During the racing season, visitors can watch live horse races and place pari-mutuel wagers trackside. The venue also offers simulcast wagering on races from across the country, along with a large card casino where players can enjoy poker, blackjack, and other table games.
Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in Columbus focuses primarily on harness racing. Fans can watch standardbred horses compete on the track while placing pari-mutuel wagers. Like Canterbury Park, Running Aces also provides simulcast betting on races from other tracks nationwide. In addition to racing, the venue features a card casino with poker and other table games, plus an on-site hotel and dining options for visitors looking to stay a little longer.
Neither of these establishments has traditional slot machine casinos. However, visitors can still enjoy a variety of card games, including poker, along with the excitement of live and simulcast horse racing.
Minnesota is well known for supporting extensive charitable gambling events in bars and community venues. These activities are designed to raise funds for local causes while providing communities with a legal and regulated form of entertainment. Charitable gambling services in Minnesota include raffles, bingo, tipboards, and pull-tabs, which are commonly found in social venues across the state. Importantly, these games are operated exclusively by licensed non-profit organizations, ensuring that proceeds are directed to approved charitable purposes.
The funds generated from charitable gambling play a vital role in supporting community programs and public initiatives.
Common beneficiaries include youth sports leagues, community development projects, veterans’ organizations, local charities, and other nonprofit initiatives that serve Minnesota residents.
These events are strictly overseen and regulated by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, which ensures that all operations comply with state laws and transparency requirements.
You’ll typically find charitable gambling activities taking place in bars, restaurants, community centers, veterans’ clubs, and other local gathering spots throughout Minnesota. These venues provide convenient, social environments where players can play games while supporting causes that benefit their local communities.

Minnesota is home to one of the most widespread charitable gambling systems in the United States.
Minnesota is blessed with breathtaking views, deep-rooted heritage, and strength and kindness within its communities. As you journey through the mesmerizing landscape, you can stop off at our parks and national forests to take in the views, providing Mother Nature's best aesthetics for your Instagram posts.
Your visit to our state will be more than just a casino experience, and you might not even know it. Away from the tables, you can immerse yourself in outdoor recreations, like lake fishing, golf, and hiking. You may pass through Minneapolis or Saint Paul, both of which have fascinating cultural attractions.
Minnesota is home to the Mall of America, the largest mall in the US. This is a cross between a shopping paradise and a theme park. As well as 500 stores, you can also visit Nickelodeon Universe to ride roller coasters and meet characters, or try out the Crayola Experience or the SEA LIFE Aquarium, watch a movie, or play mini-golf.
Depending on the season of your visit, it may influence where you go and what you see. Winter activities are also possible if you like skiing or snowmobiling. If you’re not a fan of the cold, then stay in and enjoy the array of live music events at our many concert venues.
Whether you’re a fan of spa treatments or a foodie fanatic, Minnesota is guaranteed to captivate you in more ways than one.
We hope that your visit to Minnesota provides you with many fond memories. Your journey out here is highly encouraged if you’re interested in where you can safely gamble. But please remember that land-based gambling in Minnesota is a business for the operator and only a means of entertainment for visitors. Therefore, we ask that you gamble responsibly.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is one of several state-provided problem gambling resources. The free-to-call helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER. Self-exclusion options are available to players who wish to exempt themselves from specific activities. All services to promote safe play are regulated through a combination of tribal authority and state oversight.
Come with the mindset to have a smile on your face as you take in the majesty of our state, and never let losses get the better of you. We encourage spending limits on bets and take plenty of breaks to reflect on how to make your visit a worthwhile experience. It’s all entertainment, enjoy it, the games, the events, and the views.
We hope you get to visit Minnesota; this is the aim of this guide, which presents information and is in no way a means of providing legal, financial, or gambling advice. We recommend checking local regulations before you visit, as laws can change over time. Head to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board and the Minnesota Racing Commission for official up-to-date information.
We thank you once again, and hope to see you real soon.
The state of Minnesota has 18 active tribal casinos. These are all operated by 11 federally recognized tribes. The venues present themselves as casinos, resorts, and racetracks. You can enjoy games that include Slots, Video Poker, Tournament Poker, Blackjack, and Bingo.
No. The casinos of Minnesota are not commercially operated, and they are prohibited by state law. The 18 casinos and 2 racetracks are all owned by 11 tribal nations, which, alongside the federal state, have formed the Tribal-state Compact, who make the rules and regulations for all casinos.
The state of Minnesota does not have Racinos, the combination of racetrack services and operational slot machines. The entity of this is prohibited by the state; however, visitors can access racing and card games at Running Aces and Canterbury Park racetracks.
Yes, there are several tribal casinos in Minnesota that provide their guest with live Poker games and tournaments. Poker rooms can be found at the Running Aces Casino, Canterbury Park, and Mystic Lake. These poker games are player versus player, and not against the house.
The minimum age to gamble in Minnesota is 18, if the participant is engaging in lotteries, casinos, and horse racing. If the establishment serves alcohol, however, it is common for venues to request that players be 21 years of age or older.
Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player. As well as significant experience as a writer in the iGaming and gambling industries as an expert reviewer and journalist, Lynsey is one half of the popular Las Vegas YouTube Channel and Podcast 'Begas Vaby’. When she is not in Las Vegas or wishing she was in Las Vegas, Lynsey can usually be found pursuing her other two main interests of sports and theatre.
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