Introduction to Minnesota Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Minnesota slot machine casino gambling consists of 19 tribal casinos with slot machines.
Theoretical payout limits exist due to tribal-state compacts. Actual return statistics are not publicly available.
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This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Minnesota*
The minimum legal gambling age in Minnesota depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 18/21
- Poker Rooms: 18
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
Minnesota prohibited gambling for nearly a century which, to this day, still influences legalized gambling. The Minnesota House Research Department documented the convoluted history of legalizing gambling from 1945 to 2005 in Gambling in Minnesota: A Short History.
Establishment of tribal gaming regulations was through compacts. Minnesota’s eleven federally-recognized American Indian tribes were the first to negotiate and sign tribal-state gaming compacts. The 22 negotiated compacts produced 19 tribal casinos in the state.
Each tribe has two compacts, one for video games-of-chance and a second for card games. Tribal casinos operate under a combination of state law, tribal ordinance, and tribal-state compacts. Class II games-of-skill machines are unregulated by the state.
These gaming compacts permit non-video Class III Vegas-style, games-of-chance, slot machines. However, blackjack and non-banked card games such as poker and video games-of-chance are explicitly restricted. Also banned are electronic video games like video poker, video keno, video slots, and others.
The gaming compacts stipulate the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is responsible for the inspection and approval of these video gaming machines. Both parties agreed that the compacts should be effective in perpetuity but re-negotiations can occur if desired by both parties.
Minnesota makes all tribal-state compacts publicly available at Tribal-State Gaming Compacts, consisting of 100 downloadable pdf files.
Used Slot Machines For Sale
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Minnesota
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in Minnesota.
Gaming Control Board in Minnesota
Minnesota has six gaming control boards for various aspects of gambling oversight. The gaming compacts provide for inspection and approval of video gaming machines by the Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AEGD).
Further, compact gaming regulations approve the licensing casino employees, machine payout percentages, and regulation of the play of blackjack. Specific responsibilities of the AEGD includes:
- Licensing of manufacturers and distributors of gambling devices.
- Gambling criminal enforcement and investigation.
- Assure compliance with tribal-state compacts.
Casinos in Minnesota
There are 19 American Indian tribal casinos on reservations in Minnesota.
The largest casino in Minnesota is Mystic Lake Casino Hotel with 4,000 gaming machines.
The second-largest casino is Treasure Island Resort and Casino with 2,200 gaming machines.
Commercial Casinos in Minnesota
Minnesota’s two pari-mutuel facilities Canterbury Park and Running Aces offer blackjack and non-banked card games such as poker. However, both racetracks can’t offer slot machines.
Tribal Casinos in Minnesota
Minnesota’s 19 tribal casinos are:
- Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton located 22 miles southwest of Duluth.
- Fond-du-Luth Casino near downtown Duluth.
- Fortune Bay Resort & Casino in Tower located 91 miles north of Duluth.
- Grand Casino Hinckley located 82 miles north of Minneapolis.
- Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia located 97 miles north of Minneapolis.
- Grand Portage Lodge & Casino located 144 miles northeast of Duluth a few miles from the Canadian border.
- Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton located 113 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
- Little Six Casino in Prior Lake located 26 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
- Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake located 27 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
- Northern Lights Casino & Hotel in Walker located 128 miles west of Duluth.
- Palace Casino & Hotel in Cass Lake located 140 miles northwest of Duluth.
- Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort in Granite Falls located 129 miles west of Minneapolis.
- Seven Clans Casino Red Lake located 180 miles northwest of Duluth.
- Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls located 235 miles northwest of Duluth.
- Seven Clans Casino Warroad located 251 miles northwest of Duluth a few miles from the Canadian border.
- Shooting Star Casino Bagley located 186 miles northwest of Duluth.
- Shooting Star Casino Hotel in Mahnomen located 211 miles west of Duluth.
- Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch located 46 miles southeast of Minneapolis.
- White Oak Casino in Deer River located 99 miles northwest of Duluth.
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Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Minnesota slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Minnesota is:
- North: The Canadian Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario
- East: Wisconsin Slots and, across Lake Superior, Michigan Slots
- South: Iowa Slots
- West: North Dakota Slots and South Dakota Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Minnesota.
Our Minnesota Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Minnesota? If so, join our new Minnesota slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Minnesota. Join us!
Payout Returns in Minnesota
As written into tribal-state gaming compacts, the minimum and maximum theoretical payout for slot machines are 80% and 95%, respectively, over the lifetime of the game.
Further, video keno and similar games specifically cited have a theoretical payout requirement of no less than 75% applied to each number of spots marked per wager.
Video games of chance affected by player skill such as video poker and video blackjack have a minimum and maximum payout return of 83% and 98% again over the lifetime of the game. These limits assume optimal play.
Minnesota’s tribal casinos don’t offer return statistics to the public.
Summary of Minnesota Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
Minnesota slot machine casino gambling consists of 19 tribal casinos with video-style slot machines.
Minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits are 80% and 95% for video slot machines. Video keno has a lower payout return limit of 75%. Skill-based games like video poker and video blackjack are instead 83% and 98%, but assume a perfect playing strategy for optimal play. No return statistics are publicly available.
Annual Progress in Minnesota Slot Machine Casino Gambling
In the last year, there has been no significant changes in slots gaming industry of Minnesota.
Related Articles from Professor Slots
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Previous: Michigan Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Mississippi Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC
State and Federal Laws
Gambler’s Paradise complies with all state and local laws pertaining to sales and distribution of casino equipment. The following chart shows to the best of our knowledge the current and correct information on the legal requirements for slot machines in the various states. Laws may change or vary from time to time and we assume no legal responsibility based on this listing. It is your responsibility as the purchaser to check state and local requirements for gaming equipment prior to purchase of any slot machine from Gambler’s Paradise.
| State | LEGAL STATUS RESTRICTIONS/USE OF CURRENCY | LEGAL REFERENCE |
| Alaska | ALL LEGAL | Alaska Statutes – Section 11.66.260 |
| Arizona | ALL LEGAL | Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3301 – 13-3309 |
| Arkansas | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
| Kentucky | ALL LEGAL | Kentucky Revised Statutes 528.080 |
| Maine | ALL LEGAL | Maine Revised Statutes Title 17A – Chapter 39 |
| Minnesota | ALL LEGAL | Minnesota Statutes and Criminal Laws |
| Nevada | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
| Ohio | ALL LEGAL | Ohio Revised Code |
| Rhode Island | ALL LEGAL | Rhode Island General Laws |
| Texas | ALL LEGAL | Texas Statutes Chapter 47 |
| Utah | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
| Virginia | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
| West Virginia | ALL LEGAL | N/A |
| California | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | California Penal Code 330.7 |
| Colorado | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1984 | Colorado Revised Statutes 12-47.1-103 |
| Delaware | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | 28 Delaware 904 |
| Florida | MACHINES 20 YEARS OR OLDER | Florida Statutes 849.235 |
| Georgia | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Georgia Code Title 16, Sec. 16-12-24 |
| Idaho | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Idaho Statutes Title 18, 3810 |
| Illinois | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 5/28-1 |
| Iowa | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Iowa Code 725.9 |
| Kansas | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1950 | Kansas Statutes 21-4306 |
| Louisiana | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Louisiana Title 15:31-1 |
| Maryland | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Maryland Code Article 27-264B |
| Massachusetts | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 271, Sec. 5A |
| Michigan | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Michigan Compiled Statutes 750.303 |
| Mississippi | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Mississippi Code 27-27-12 |
| Missouri | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | Missouri Revised Statutes 572.070 & 572.125 |
| Montana | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Montana State Code 23-5-153 |
| New Hamsphire | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | New Hampshire Revised Statutes 647:2 |
| New Jersey | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1941 | New Jersey Statute 2C:37-7 |
| New York | MACHINES 30 YEARS OR OLDER | New York Consolidated Laws 225.32 |
| North Carolina | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | North Carolina General Statutes 14-309.1 |
| North Dakota | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | North Dakota Century Code 12.1-28-02 |
| Oklahoma | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Oklahoma State Statutes 21-964 |
| Oregon | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Oregon Revised Statutes 167.147 |
| Pennsylvania | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes 5513 |
| South Dakota | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | South Dakota Codified Laws 22-25-14.1 |
| Vermont MACHINES | MANUFACTURED PRE – 1954 | Vermont Statutes Title 13, Ch. 51, Sec. 2135 |
| Washington | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Revised Code of Washington 9.46.235 |
| Washington, DC | MACHINES MANUFACTURED PRE – 1952 | District of Columbia 22-1704 |
| Wyoming | MACHINES 25 YEARS OR OLDER | Wyoming Statute 6-7-101 |
| Alabama | PROHIBITED | AL Code Section 13A, Chapter 12, Article 2 |
| Connecticut | PROHIBITED | Connecticut Chapter 946, Section 53-278a |
| Hawaii | PROHIBITED | Hawaii Statutes §712-1226 |
| Indiana | PROHIBITED | Indiana Code 35-45-5-4 |
| Nebraska | PROHIBITED | Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 28-1107 |
| New Mexico | PROHIBITED | NM Gaming Control Bd. v. Ten Gaming Devices |
| South Carolina | PROHIBITED | South Carolina Code §12-21-2710 |
| Tennessee | PROHIBITED | STennessee Code §39-17-505 |
| Wisconsin | PROHIBITED | Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 945 |