Since the internet revolutionized the way just about everything works in the United States, it’s no surprise that gambling s one more thing. Once Minnesota residents realized they could gamble from the comfort of their own homes without hopping on an expensive plane to Nevada, the game seemingly changed.
In the early days of the internet, these legal gambling sites for Minnesota residents were practically un-regulated, and served as a nest for frauds and Ponzi schemes. Recognizing a problem, more and more laws trickled down. The problem is that so many are now in place, Minnesota residents are often completely unaware that they have any rights at all when it comes to online gambling. This page will outline both federal and Minnesota state policies as they apply to all of the most popular forms of online gambling. Read more about legal Minnesota gambling on the homepage.
When discussing online sports betting in the US, there are actually several laws that affect it. The first passed all the way back in 1961, but is still very much relevant today. The Wire Act made transmitting information regarding sports betting over state lines using a wire service (which, thanks to a recent interpretation of the law, includes the internet) over state lines. While this law does not affect bettors one bit, it can make a legal sports betting business much more difficult to find. Progress regarding sports betting was further impeded by the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) the passed in 1992. This law flat out criminalized the facilitation of sports betting anywhere in the country outside of Delaware Oregon, Montana and Nevada. While bettors are still unaffected by the law, it remains a major obstacle for any states that wish to open sanctioned sports betting facilities.
With all these laws in the books, it’s easy to wonder if there’s a solution in sight. Luckily, by offshore sportsbooks that Minnesota residents can access online, there is an answer. Neither the Wire Act nor the PASPA apply to any legal online sportsbook that is located offshore, meaning that these legal online sportsbooks that accept Minnesota residents are free to operate just so long as they obey the laws and regulation of their native country.
It’s a good thing that these exist, too. The state constitution of Minnesota provides even steeper penalties for anyone caught in the act of “bookmaking,” which would make finding a reputable sports betting ring even more difficult. If Minnesota residents want to bet on sports safely and legally, they are forced to turn to the internet to do so.
Federal policy on playing casino games online is straightforward thanks to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) passed in 2006. This law forbids any gambling sites to operate on US soil and spells out very serious punishments for all those involved with the operation of gambling. However, readers may have noticed something missing from this description: how it applies to players. In fact, there is no legal language involving users of online casinos in the language at all, and aside from the minor inconvenience of receiving payouts in any form other than processed to a credit card, gamblers are largely unaffected by federal law.
Still, it’s comforting to know that players are gambling with legal enterprises. Many legal online casinos that accept Minnesota residents work around this law using one simple technique to their advantage: their location. Since these legal casinos are offshore, they are outside of US jurisdiction, and the UIGEA does not apply to them.
The state law of Minnesota operates in much the same way. While technically speaking the act of placing a “bet” is a crime in accordance with their legislation, that law has never been enforced in the history of the state. Just as with federal policy, the state of Minnesota is much more concerned with large criminal enterprises surrounding online gambling, not mere players looking to earn a few dollars in the slot machines. Online gambling makes a preferable alternative to all those Minnesota residents who do not live close enough to take regular advantage of the tribal casinos scattered throughout the state. Considering their remote locations, it’s probably a good assumption that most players in the state will take advantage of these legal Minnesota gambling sites.
Similar to the online operation of casino games, online poker falls under the same category as far as the federal law in concerned. While professional poker players and enthusiasts alike have long lobbied for special treatment for the game of poker as they consider it more a “game of skill” than game of chance, the federal government did not bend on their stance. The UIGEA still prevents any poker website from operating within the United States, and prevents offshore legal online poker rooms for Minnesota residents from processing their payouts via an EFT, or Electronic Funds Transfer.
So, what does this mean for players? There is no language written into the UIGEA that affects Minnesota residents participating in online poker. Aside from the mild inconvenience of receiving payouts through means other than a major credit card (such as a check through the mail or a money order,) players remain unscathed by the UIGEA. Since there are no federal laws that prevent US citizens from making use of online poker, they may log into legal online poker rooms that skirt the UIGEA by virtue of their location: offshore. Many of these legal online poker rooms that accept Minnesota players have been in service for well over a decade, and specialize in serving US residents.
When it comes to state policy, it’s much the same as it is regarding the federal law. Just so long as a player in Minnesota sticks to their role as a player and not the operator of an online poker site, they will avoid any legal trouble for playing poker for real money online. This is welcome news in a state with tribal poker rooms that are spread entirely too thin to make and regular, responsible use of.
When choosing a gambling network that fits best, there are several factors to take into consideration, but the most important as safety. Namely, what will become of all the money that players invest in this gambling site? All of the websites promotes on this page have been in operation for well over a decade and operate under strict regulations set forth by their home countries and by reputable international gaming commissions. This guarantees that not only are all your funds going to a legitimate business that no authority will shut down, but also that they have top of the line website security that is more than adequate to keep your information and your identity safe.
When you’re picking out the best gambling site, it’s critical you figure out what is most important to you. Maybe you want to play in an online poker room where the action is fast, furious and profitable yet capable of catering to all skill levels. Perhaps you’re looking for a sportsbook that features betting lines gathered from all sports, leagues and games in the world with competitive odds for each, or maybe you simply want to relax in a grand casino, play some slots, or even a few hands of Blackjack. Luckily, thanks to Bovada, Minnesota residents don’t have to choose, they can have all three!
In addition to its status as a safe and legal gambling site offering superior products, this legal Minnesota gambling site has built its reputation on providing reliable payouts that you can set a watch to. What’s more, they will even cover all fees associated with mailing you a check as often as once a month. This means that more of your money gets to go to whom it should: you, and not your bank. For more examples of how Bovada makes their website all about the player, pay them a visit today!