Is It Illegal Gambling?

What is a bet?

A “bet” is defined as “a bargain whereby the parties mutually agree to a gain or loss by one to the other of specified money, property or benefit dependent upon chance although the chance is accompanied by some element of skill.”

Private Social Bets Allowed

Social bets are allowed only if they are done in a private social setting. However, social bets are illegal if:

• they are part of “organized, commercialized, or systematic gambling”; or
• the owner of the location of a social bet derives any profit from the bet, organizes regular occasions for such bets, or advertises their occurrence.

Card Games Allowed

Tournaments or contests for card games known as cribbage, skat, sheephead, bridge, euchre, pinochle, gin, 500, smear, or whist are only allowed when: there is no direct financial benefit to the promoter or organizer; and the sum of all prizes does not exceed $200 per occasion. An entry fee is allowed for these games.

Texas Hold ’em—A Texas Hold ’em tournament (card game) is allowed under the following conditions:

• no entry fee or other consideration for participation is allowed;
• there is no direct financial benefit to the promoter or organizer;
• no person under 18 may participate;
• the value of all prizes awarded to an individual winner at a location may not exceed $200 per day; and
• reasonable accommodations must be made for players with disabilities. Accommodations to the table and cards shall include the announcement of cards visible to the entire table and the use of braille cards for players who are blind.

Texas Hold 'em may not be played on a video device.

Chance Drawings

State law allows chance drawings that do not require consideration if:

• the participant is not required to purchase a ticket for a drawing in order to win a prize; and
• the participant must be allowed to enter the drawing without any consideration for a chance to win a prize.

A drawing organizer may not imply that a participant must pay a donation for the chance to win a prize (for example, “Suggested Donation $5”), or may not coerce a participant to pay a donation for the chance to win a prize. If the organizer implies or coerces the participant in any manner, there is a substantial risk of violating law.

Poker Runs

Poker runs are usually associated with snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles, and the participant pays for the chance of picking up cards at various locations that enable the best winning hand to win a prize. This is not a legal form of gambling under the Gambling Control Board, and the poker run sponsor runs the risk of operating a gambling place and/or conducting an illegal lottery.

Dice Restrictions

Social dice games are permitted on the premises and adjoining rooms of an establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. Only the following games are allowed, and restrictions apply to these games as noted:

• board games played with dice; or
• dice games commonly known as Shake-a-day, Horse, Liar’s poker, Who buys, Last chance, 3-2-1, Aces, and 6-5-4.

Restrictions—Wagers or prizes for the games must be limited to food or beverages, and the retail establishment may not organize or participate financially in the games.

All other forms of dice games are illegal, and are not allowed in establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

Questions?

For questions regarding illegal gambling, contact the Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division at 651-201-7500, ext. 3, or www.dps.mn.gov.