Minnesota currently does not have legal sports betting.
But there is an option to legally bet on sports if you are in Minnesota. And I am not talking about using offshore sportsbooks like you see recommended constantly when you Google this stuff.
You can legally bet on sports in Minnesota through something called sweepstakes or social betting.
Best Sweepstakes Sports Betting Apps in Minnesota
Based on my experience, these are the best sweepstakes sports betting platforms available in Minnesota:
ProphetX
ProphetX is a sports betting exchange, meaning that you are betting against other users/market makers rather than the “house”.
Because ProphetX relies on an exchange model, their odds are extremely competitive and often times the best available in the market. Even users in states with legal sports betting like having ProphetX as an option due to their great odds.
To use ProphetX, you need to buy ProphetX Coins. When you buy ProphetX Coins, you are given ProphetX Cash (the same amount you purchased), which is redeemable for US dollars 1:1.
For example, on ProphetX, you can purchase 50,000 Prophet Points (free to play currency) for $50. The Prophet Points are not redeemable for real money, but you also get $50 in Prophet Cash as a “bonus”, which is redeemable for US dollars.
Current offer: Get $10 in ProphetX Cash for new customers
NoVig
NoVig is another exchange using the sweepstakes sports betting model. They also have extremely competitive odds, like ProphetX, due to their exchange model.
NoVig positions itself as a sportsbook that caters to “traders”, giving users access to deep analytics on their order book. This is much different than other sportsbooks as others mostly just show you the current odds you can bet at.
To bet on NoVig, you need to buy NoVig Coins. Just like ProphetX, you can claim you NoVig Cash after purchasing the coins. NoVig Cash is redeemable for US dollars or other prizes.
Current offer: Get $25 in NoVig Cash for new customers
How Sweepstakes/Social Sports Betting Works in Minnesota
This method of sports betting has become very popular due to the fact that it doesn’t require a company to follow state sports betting laws.
I’m sure you are asking yourself: how?
It does seem a little far fetched, but these new sports betting companies are using a legal loophole via something called sweepstakes. Sweepstakes laws have been around for a very long time, but companies are now applying these laws to enable sports betting.
The basic premise is this:
- Nearly all states allow a form of gambling vis sweepstakes
- The main requirement for sweepstakes is that there is No Purchase Necessary (you can play for free if you want)
- To abide by these rules, social sportsbooks have a free to play version that anyone can use
- These sportsbooks also allow you to buy (with real US dollars), a type of currency on the platform that is redeemable 1:1 with US dollars.
For example, on ProphetX, you can purchase 50,000 Prophet Points (free to play currency) for $50. The Prophet Points are not redeemable for real money, but you also get $50 in Prophet Cash as a “bonus”, which is redeemable for US dollars.
According to the laws, purchasing free to play currency (Prophet Points), and giving customers Prophet Cash as a “bonus” allows these companies to operate legally.
*Note: I am not a lawyer and can not vouch for the legal teams of each of these companies. It is up to you to do your own diligence and make sure you are abiding by all applicable laws.
It is worth noting that two Sweepstakes/Social Sports Betting companies, ProphetX and NoVig, originally started as licensed sports betting companies. They both switched to the sweepstakes model due to the bureaucracy and red tape that comes along with the current sports betting landscape.
I’d highly recommend checking out these two videos from Unabated on Sweepstakes Sports Betting:
- Sweepstakes Sports Betting Overview
- Interview with ProphetX founder (Sweepstakes sports betting model)
Types of Sweepstakes/Social Sportsbooks in Minnesota
Exchange sportsbooks use market makers and liquidity to drive their odds. Exchanges, by design, typically have some of the best odds available in the market. Having an exchange available gives you a huge leg up in your sports betting and is definitely a tool you should explore to get an edge.
See this post to get a better understanding of the different types of sportsbooks out there.
Other, traditional sportsbooks like Fliff are more comparable to sportsbooks you are probably familiar with: FanDuel, DraftKings, etc.
These sportsbooks typically focus on making more markets available (more player props, etc.) but the downside is the odds are usually not as good as exchanges. Exchanges trade better odds for fewer markets, while traditional sportsbooks like Fliff take the opposite side of the trade.
Are Sweepstakes/Social Sportsbooks Worth It in Minnesota?
In my opinion yes, especially if either of these apply to you:
- You live in Minnesota where sports betting is not legal
- You want access to exchange sportsbooks that could give you the best prices available in the market
Once you get over some of the funkiness with the setup of free to play coins vs. cash, the experience is very similar to what you would have with a traditional sportsbook like FanDuel or DraftKings.
Another huge benefit of using these companies instead of offshore sportsbooks (Bovada, BetOnline, etc.) is that they are typically created and headquartered in the United States. That means withdrawing your money should be a LOT more reliable than the offshore alternatives, not to mention the general sketchiness of what goes on in offshore sportsbooks.
Many of these social sportsbooks also have a presence on social media such as X and Discord. You can usually get a response back in a reasonable amount of time if you have an issue or question.
It is also worth noting that these companies are not required to follow the same gaming laws with respect to house rules, complaints, etc. Be sure to read their terms and conditions (or ChatGPT a summary) to make sure you know what you are getting in to.