Online Minneapolis Poker Rooms in MN
Explore the Minneapolis online poker market with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the legality of poker in this city and find the best poker site for you.
Despite being the biggest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis doesn’t have the richest poker scene.
Its first and only gaming boom occurred in the 1980s before stagnation set in.
As a result, Mill City has but a few land-based poker venues today, most tribally owned.
Minneapolis’ online gaming sector isn’t doing better, either. While MN authorities have considered legalizing sports betting, launching an iGaming industry has never been on the agenda. If not for offshore poker sites, local poker players would be in a bind.
These platforms feature virtual and live games and run a roster of freeroll, progressive bounties and SNGs with up to $200K GTD prize pools. On top of that, they provide welcome bonuses as high as $3,000 and cash games with bad beat jackpots that can make you rich in no time.
If these benefits tickle your fancy, stay with us as we discuss Minny’s poker offer. Discover whether, how, and where you can play this casino classic in our guide featuring top Minneapolis poker sites.
Best Online Poker Sites in Minneapolis, MN
At first glance, the online poker scene in Minneapolis looks barren. Its home state doesn’t have laws that allow this activity in the city or offer any real-money state-licensed sites.Nevertheless, a way out of this situation lies in offshore online casinos. They host niche poker titles you won’t find in land-based casinos, feature bonuses that reach several thousand dollars, and offer excellent UX and support.
Don’t take our word for it. Check these platforms out and see for yourself. A list of the best Minneapolis poker rooms is right below.
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:- 100% Legal & Licensed
- Verified Bonus
- Mobile Friendly
- Advertiser Disclosure
Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions
- Must be 18+ to participate.
Displayed 3 of 8 rooms
Is Online Poker Legal in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis and its home state have long had ambivalent attitudes toward gaming. The activity was rampant on the territory before and well into the 19th century. However, the Minnesota Constitution put a stop to the chaos in 1857, making all gambling illegal in the state.The market started opening back up during the 1980s, MN’s prime gaming era. The Bread and Butter State legalized pari-mutuel betting in ‘83 and the state lottery in ‘89. It was also the first in the US to negotiate gaming compacts under the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and legalize tribal gaming.
During the next three decades, however, MN’s gaming market barely changed. Lawmakers attempted to legalize daily fantasy sports in 2017 with no luck. Sports betting bills reached the House in 2019 and 2020 but failed to gain traction. Online casino gaming, including poker, hasn’t made the discussion stage yet.
One of the main reasons these laws have never come into effect is strong opposition from the 11 tribes that currently control the majority of the gaming happening in the Gopher State. They’ve repeatedly expressed doubts about the consequences this expansion would have for the state’s “delicate gaming industry”.
As a result, Minneapolis poker players are left with two options — sweepstakes and offshore poker sites. The former operates on a free-to-play model that allows participants to enjoy modified poker games without investing real money. The latter provide traditional poker titles and tournaments and offer real cash bonuses and prizes.
If you’d like to try your luck in offshore casinos, you should be aware of Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement’s rules. This regulatory body’s official website notes these platforms are illegal in the state, so it might be wise to consult a lawyer before signing up.
Minneapolis, MN Poker Laws
For more information about the legality of poker in Minneapolis and regulations like the one above, make sure you read the following laws:
How to Choose the Best Online Poker Room in Minneapolis
If you’re new to online gaming, chances are you’ll have trouble choosing the perfect poker room. We understand the struggle, so we’re here to help.Our team has used their vast expertise and years of experience in the industry to create a list of criteria quality poker sites should meet. We highlight and explain each one in the sections below so that you can figure out what Minneapolis poker site is right for you.
Licensing and Security
Every online gaming site search should start with a license and security check. Together, these two features form the foundation of a reliable casino. Licensing shows a brand has passed extensive testing by gambling regulatory bodies and proven trustworthy. Security measures help operators protect their users’ sensitive data from unauthorized access.Look for permits from reputable sources like The Malta Gaming Authority, the Curaçao Gambling Control Boards, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and so on. Ensure the site implements security measures like SSL or TLS encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication, among others.
Games and Tournaments
Gaming offer is the focal point of every web-based casino. You can start your analysis with the number and variety of games. Look at the options the site offers and ensure there are enough virtual and live titles to satisfy your poker appetites for more than one gaming session.Remember to find out what variants and operators are available. Texas Hold’em and Omaha are a must, but options like Stud, Razz and Draw add to the fun. Evolution and Pragmatic usually carry the bulk of live gaming on these sites. At the same time, BetSoft, Realtime Gaming, Microgaming, Novomatic, and others are great virtual and video poker title providers.
Next, look into the site’s poker tournament offer and schedule. Most gaming platforms run major competitions on weekends, but the best also organize weekly tournaments. They mostly hold MTTs and SNGs, though you’ll also find PKOs, jackpot, knockout, and bounty tournaments. The rule of thumb here should be — the more, the merrier.
Traffic and Buy-Ins
Traffic and buy-ins are specifics that can help you identify a site that suits your poker needs, skills, and budget. If you get a kick out of live dealer games, search for sites with high traffic volumes. Try to find information about their peak hours and ensure they fit into your schedule.Having poker field data is also helpful. You won’t have fun or benefit from a poker room if its tables are full of experienced players, and you’re still a beginner. So, make sure you join a casino with a lot of participants who share your skill level.
Finally, note the buy-ins in cash games and tournaments. Don’t join a poker site you can barely afford to play on or one whose prize pool doesn’t excite you.
Promotions
Examining a poker room’s promo offer is always a good idea before you commit. Top brands offer welcome bonus packages worth several thousand dollars, frequent bad beat jackpots, ongoing crypto reloads, weekly cashbacks, and referrals. If you tend to be active on one rather than on multiple sites, you can benefit from platforms with elaborate multi-tier loyalty schemes.Banking
Make sure to check the Payment section when browsing your future poker room’s website. If you’re unsure what method you prefer, review all available solutions and their processing times and limits. However, if you use a particular payment processor for all your online gaming activity, make sure it’s available for Minneapolis players.Reputation
Once you’ve reviewed your Minny poker room’s license and security info, you can focus on its reputation. Surf the internet looking for gaming forums, review sites, and other similar player community platforms. Read the comments on the operator you’re interested in to learn how it treats patrons, what issues it has faced in the past, and what steps it has taken to resolve them. This research will help you gain a better understanding of the website and decide whether you should join or avoid it.Support
High-quality customer support is an essential part of all modern gaming platforms. Take some time to read about your preferred poker site’s customer support team online or test it yourself if possible. Make sure agents are responsive, friendly, and helpful no matter what communication channel you use.Benefits of Playing Online Poker in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Offshore poker sites are a preferred option for many experienced and novice players. Here are some of the reasons why these platforms have the edge over Minneapolis land-based gaming venues:- Minneapolis is short on brick-and-mortar poker venues. It offers only two choices — a commercial racino and a tribal casino. Offshore poker platforms are more numerous and, by extension, more versatile.
- Online poker sites don’t require you to dress up and drive around the city to try your hand at poker. You can play any variant of this popular game straight from the comfort of your couch.
- Brick-and-mortar poker rooms in Minneapolis and its surroundings can receive a limited number of players and only feature basic poker variations. Their offshore counterparts, on the other hand, serve players worldwide, which means they have a higher traffic volume and a broader game selection.
- Minneapolis offshore poker platforms belong to a much larger and more competitive sector than land-based gaming venues in this city do. As a result, they invest more in promotions and bonuses to attract new and keep existing players. Depending on the site, these offers reach as much as $3,000.
Famous Poker Players From Minneapolis, MN
Although it does not have a huge poker market, Minneapolis is home to a few successful poker pros. The top of the list belongs to Lyle Berman, a veteran player who has been active since the 80s. During his career, this City of Lakes resident has earned a seat at 14 WSOP final tables, three bracelets, and over $2,5 million in cash prizes.Minneapolis’ top player list also includes somewhat younger Mike Schneider and Jim Meehan. Schneider’s top achievement was a 2006 No-Limit Hold’em Championship event, where he landed a $1 million-worth top prize. Meehan, also known as Minneapolis, doesn’t boast as impressive of a payday but has won a bracelet and as many as six tournaments.
Best Land-Based Poker Rooms in Minneapolis
Ready to hit the felt in Mill City? Here’s a list of all Minneapolis land-based poker rooms, their addresses, and offerings.Name | Address | Number of tables | Cash games | Tournaments |
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel | 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372 | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Canterbury Park | 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379 | 14 | Yes | Yes |
FAQ
Is online poker available in Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis’ home state, Minnesota, hasn’t legalized web-based poker yet, so you won’t find any state-licensed online poker rooms in this city. However, plenty of offshore sites offer their services to players from the City of Lakes. You can find the best ones in our top list above.
What poker variants can I play in Minneapolis poker rooms?
Most Minneapolis poker sites offer the two classics — Hold’em and Omaha. However, the best platforms also host less widespread variations like Stud, Draw, and Razz.
Do Minneapolis online poker rooms offer promotions?
They do. Top-rated offshore poker rooms offer hefty welcome and ongoing promotions for Minneapolis players. The lineup includes up to $3,000 intro bonuses, weekly cashbacks, multiple referrals, bad beat jackpots, crypto reloads, one-day tourneys, and so on.
Does Minneapolis offer any land-based poker rooms?
Yes. Two Minneapolis brick-and-mortar gambling venues feature poker rooms. You can find information about their names, addresses, and poker offers in the table above.
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