A 2026 Guide To Local Casinos In Minneapolis

Q: Are There Hotels At Casinos Near Minneapolis?

Yes. Several casino destinations near Minneapolis include on-site hotels, including Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Grand Casino Hinckley, and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. These properties are better suited to overnight stays or weekend trips, while locations such as Canterbury Park are more focused on gaming and racing.

Q: Can You Drink Alcohol At Minneapolis-Area Casinos?

Yes, alcohol is available at many Minneapolis-area casino resorts through their bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Guests must be at least 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages, even though the minimum gambling age at many Minnesota casinos is 18. Individual properties can impose additional alcohol restrictions.

Q: Can You Smoke At Casinos Near Minneapolis?

Smoking policies vary by casino. Some Minnesota tribal casinos provide designated smoking areas or separate smoking sections, while other gaming areas may be entirely smoke-free. Visitors who want a nonsmoking experience should check the individual casino's current policy before arriving.

Q: Are Minneapolis-Area Casinos Open 24 Hours?

Some casino gaming floors near Minneapolis operate 24 hours a day, but hours vary by property and by amenity. Poker rooms, restaurants, racetracks, sportsbooks, bars, and other facilities may operate on shorter schedules even when the main casino remains open overnight. Checking current hours before making a late-night trip is recommended.

Q: Do Casinos Near Minneapolis Offer Free Parking?

Yes. Free self-parking is commonly available at major casino properties around Minneapolis, including many of the larger tribal casino resorts. Some destinations also provide parking garages, oversized-vehicle parking, or valet service, although availability and fees for upgraded parking options can differ.

Minneapolis does not have a traditional casino located directly within the city, but players do not have to travel far to find several major gambling destinations throughout the Twin Cities area. Nearby options range from large tribal casino resorts with slots, table games, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment to dedicated card rooms and racetracks offering poker and pari-mutuel wagering.

This guide has been compiled by the staff here at Online Minnesota Casinos to compare the best casino destinations near the city, including Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Canterbury Park, Little Six Casino, and Running Aces. We also cover properties farther from the city that are worth considering for a day trip or weekend getaway, along with minimum gambling ages, transportation options, amenities, and our picks for different types of players.

There are no full-scale commercial or tribal casinos inside the city limits, so a Minneapolis casino guide is best built around properties in the Twin Cities metro area, followed by casinos that require a longer drive.

Table of Contents

Casinos In The Minneapolis Area

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is one of the biggest and most complete gambling destinations near Minneapolis. The Prior Lake resort combines a large gaming floor with hotel accommodations, restaurants, bars, entertainment, a spa, indoor pool, golf, and other resort amenities. It is particularly well-suited to visitors who want more than a quick gambling trip and would rather spend an entire day or a weekend at one property.

Address: 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Approximate Distance From Minneapolis: 20–26 miles

Canterbury Park

Canterbury Park offers a different experience from Minnesota's tribal casino resorts. It combines a card casino with live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing during the racing season. The casino side emphasizes poker and table-style card games rather than traditional slot machines, making Canterbury a particularly good choice for poker players or visitors who also want to bet on horse racing.

Address: 1100 Canterbury Rd, Shakopee, MN 55379
Approximate Distance From Minneapolis: 17 miles

Little Six Casino

Little Six Casino is a smaller Prior Lake alternative to nearby Mystic Lake. Its more compact size can appeal to players who prefer a straightforward casino trip rather than a large resort environment. Because Mystic Lake is only about half a mile away, visitors can also easily include both properties during the same outing.

Address: 2450 Sioux Trail NW, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Approximate Distance From Minneapolis: 20–26 miles

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack

Running Aces combines casino card games, a hotel, and seasonal harness racing. Its card room features games such as blackjack and poker, while live harness racing gives visitors another form of wagering during the racing calendar. The property works especially well for players north of Minneapolis or those interested in both casino gaming and horse racing.

Address: 15201 Running Aces Blvd, Columbus, MN 55025
Approximate Distance From Minneapolis: 21–30 miles

Casinos Near Minneapolis

These properties are farther outside the Twin Cities but remain practical options for day trips or casino weekends.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Treasure Island is one of the better choices for Minneapolis visitors looking for a true casino-resort getaway. The Welch property combines casino gaming with hotel rooms, restaurants, entertainment, bowling, a spa, and additional resort amenities. The casino also operates complimentary bus routes from selected areas, which can make it particularly convenient for Twin Cities visitors who do not want to drive.

Address: 5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd, Welch, MN 55089
Distance From Minneapolis: About 40 miles

Grand Casino Hinckley

Grand Casino Mille Lacs

Prairie's Edge Casino Resort

Minimum Gambling Ages In Minnesota

Minnesota gambling laws have generally set a minimum gambling age of 18, although individual tribal casinos can establish stricter entry or gaming policies. State-tribal gaming compacts prohibit anyone under 18 from playing Class III casino games such as blackjack and video games of chance.

Tribal casinos: 18+
Poker and card rooms: 18+
Pari-mutuel horse racing: 18+
Minnesota Lottery: 18+
Pull-tabs: 18+
Bingo: Generally 18+, with limited exceptions for certain exempt or community bingo events
Raffles and paddlewheels: 18+

Minnesota law specifically prohibits people under 18 from participating in pull-tabs, tipboards, paddlewheels, raffles, and most forms of bingo. The Minnesota Lottery likewise requires players to be at least 18 to purchase or redeem a ticket.

Best Minneapolis-Area Casino For Each Type Of Player

For visitors comparing gambling locations around Minneapolis, the best choice depends on whether the priority is slots, poker, horse racing, entertainment, or a full resort stay.

Category	Best Location	Why It Stands Out
Best Overall Casino	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Large gaming floor, dining, hotel rooms, entertainment, golf, and resort amenities.
Best For Slot Players	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Strong selection of electronic casino games in one location.
Best For Poker	Canterbury Park	Established poker room and dedicated card casino.
Best For Blackjack And Card Games	Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack	Strong focus on live card games.
Best For Horse Racing	Canterbury Park	Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing plus wagering facilities.
Best For Harness Racing	Running Aces	Seasonal live harness racing alongside casino card games.
Best Casino Resort	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Hotel, restaurants, entertainment, spa facilities, golf, and casino gaming.
Best For A Weekend Getaway	Treasure Island Resort & Casino	Casino gaming, hotel rooms, entertainment, dining, bowling, and resort amenities.
Best For Entertainment And Concerts	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Regular live entertainment alongside casino gaming.
Best For Golfers	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Convenient access to The Meadows at Mystic Lake golf course.
Best Smaller Casino	Little Six Casino	Compact layout and a more straightforward casino experience.
Best For Dining And Amenities	Mystic Lake Casino Hotel	Multiple restaurants and extensive resort facilities.
Best For An Extended Casino Trip	Grand Casino Hinckley	Hotel, gaming, dining, entertainment, and resort amenities for longer stays.

Our Favorite Casino In Minneapolis For 2026

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is the best all-around choice near Minneapolis because it combines one of the area's largest gaming experiences with a hotel, restaurants, entertainment, golf, and other resort amenities. It works equally well for a few hours of gambling or an overnight stay.

Canterbury Park is the stronger choice for poker and horse racing, while Running Aces stands out for card games and harness racing. Visitors interested primarily in a casino-resort getaway rather than proximity to Minneapolis may prefer Treasure Island or Grand Casino Hinckley.

Are There Any Free Casino Shuttles Or Buses?

Yes. Some casinos near Minneapolis offer free bus or shuttle service, though routes and schedules may change.

Mystic Lake Casino Hotel has the most extensive complimentary shuttle network. Its free routes currently include the Mall of America, Saint Paul, Brooklyn Park/Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights/Blaine, and a St. Cloud route that also stops in Monticello, Buffalo, and Plymouth. Riders must be at least 18 and have a Club M card or valid government-issued ID.

One important distinction is that Mystic Lake's dedicated Minneapolis/Hopkins route is currently suspended until further notice, so visitors starting in downtown should not assume there is a direct casino bus available. The Mall of America Mystic Express, however, operates daily and can be a convenient alternative.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino also operates complimentary casino buses. Its current free routes include service from the Metro South area, Rochester, and La Crosse. The resort additionally provides free on-property transportation between parking areas, the marina, and hotel and casino facilities.

Mystic Lake also operates the Mystic Connector, a free on-property service that can transport guests between Mystic Lake and nearby Little Six Casino.

For Minneapolis visitors relying on casino transportation, Mystic Lake is generally the best option for free shuttle access, but it is worth checking the casino's current schedule before traveling because routes, pickup locations, and operating days can change.

Are Any New Casinos Planned?

There are no major new casino projects currently announced for Minneapolis itself. Minnesota's casino industry remains centered on tribal gaming, with 11 federally recognized tribes operating 19 casinos across the state.

The most notable proposed new casino in Minnesota is much farther northwest in Moorhead. The White Earth Nation has proposed a roughly $176 million casino and hotel development near Interstate 94 and Minnesota Highway 336. However, as of August 2026, the tribe has paused the project while its leadership reviews the financial, environmental, and social impacts. The proposal has not been formally withdrawn, so it could still move forward later.

For Minneapolis-area visitors, that means Mystic Lake, Little Six, Canterbury Park, and Running Aces are likely to remain the primary nearby gambling destinations for the foreseeable future, barring a new tribal development or major change to Minnesota gaming law.

Are There Any Online Casinos In MN?

Minnesota does not currently license or regulate real-money online casino sites within the state. State law also prevents the Minnesota Lottery from offering casino-style games such as blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, and keno through a website or other electronic platform.

That does not mean Minnesota players are limited to local casinos. Offshore online casino sites offer another option for players who want to gamble from home or on mobile devices. These sites operate outside Minnesota's state-regulated gaming system and can offer slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, live dealer games, and other casino titles.

For players who prefer online gambling, offshore casinos can be attractive because they typically offer larger game libraries, casino bonuses, cryptocurrency banking options, mobile access, and 24-hour availability. They can also eliminate the need to drive from Minneapolis to a tribal casino or card room. Read our OnlineMinnesotaCasinos.com reviews to learn more about these offshore sites.

Minnesota does have fairly restrictive gambling statutes, so players should understand the distinction between state-authorized gaming and offshore sites before participating. Minnesota law generally prohibits unauthorized betting while specifically allowing certain regulated forms of gambling, including the state lottery, charitable gaming, and pari-mutuel horse wagering. For that reason, players choosing an offshore casino should review its licensing, security practices, banking policies, game providers, and withdrawal rules before making a deposit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Hotels At Casinos Near Minneapolis?

Can You Drink Alcohol At Minneapolis-Area Casinos?

Can You Smoke At Casinos Near Minneapolis?

Are Minneapolis-Area Casinos Open 24 Hours?

Do Casinos Near Minneapolis Offer Free Parking?

Can I Gamble Using Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is generally not used directly for gambling at brick-and-mortar casinos in the Minneapolis area. Players interested in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other digital currencies can instead use cryptocurrency at many offshore online casinos that accept Minnesota players. Crypto banking can offer faster deposits and withdrawals than some traditional payment methods, though supported coins, limits, and processing rules vary by casino.

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Mystic Lake Casino Hotel