SF4474 Minnesota Sweepstakes Ban — Full Legal Status Guide (2026)

Last verified: April 2026 | Target keyword: sf4474 minnesota sweepstakes ban

Minnesota's Senate File 4474 has cleared three committees and is now heading to the Senate floor for a full vote before the session closes on May 18, 2026. If it passes, sweepstakes casinos would be explicitly banned under Minnesota law — the first such legislative action in the state's history. Here is everything you need to know about where the bill stands, what it would do, and which platforms are still available to Minnesota players right now.

What Is SF4474?

Senate File 4474 is a Minnesota Senate bill introduced by Sen. Jordan Rasmussen on March 17, 2026. The bill would formally define online sweepstakes casinos under Minnesota law and then ban them — bringing enforcement in line with the state's existing gambling statutes, which prohibit unlicensed gambling operations.

What the bill does, specifically:

• Defines "online sweepstakes casinos" as platforms using a dual-currency model (Gold Coins + Sweeps Coins) to simulate casino gaming
• Classifies these platforms as unlicensed gambling operations under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 609
• Makes operating or accessing a sweepstakes casino in Minnesota a criminal violation
• Grants enforcement authority to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Attorney General

This is not a regulatory framework — there is no path to licensure under SF4474. It is a clean ban.

Committee History: How SF4474 Got Here

SF4474 moved through the Minnesota Senate committee process quickly, despite being filed late in the session.

What "deadline waived" means: Minnesota's Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 sets three committee deadlines each session. The Finance Committee deadline was April 17, 2026. Rather than the Finance Committee voting the bill down or letting it die by missing the deadline, the Senate Rules and Administration Committee voted to waive the rule — allowing SF4474 to proceed as a "late bill" and advance without a Finance Committee vote. Only one senator (Vice Chair Ann Rest) voted against the waiver.

This is a significant procedural win for the bill's sponsors. It means SF4474 was not killed — it was green-lit to proceed directly to the Senate floor.

Senate Floor Vote: What to Expect

With the Finance deadline waived, SF4474 is now eligible for a full Senate floor vote. Minnesota's 2026 legislative session closes on May 18, 2026. The bill's chief author, Sen. Rasmussen, has until that date to bring it to a floor vote.

Key context:

• The bill has faced almost no meaningful opposition in committee — the only dissenting vote came from Sen. Rest, who has consistently opposed the bill on its merits
• Strong support from tribal gaming interests and anti-gambling advocacy groups gives the bill political momentum
• There is no companion House bill at an advanced stage, which could complicate a final bicameral passage before May 18

Editorial assessment: SF4474 has real momentum but faces a tight timeline. Clearing a Senate floor vote before May 18 is achievable — passing both chambers before session close would require unusual speed given the House bill's slower progress. A Senate-only passage would not become law on its own, but would carry significant signaling weight into the 2027 session.

What SF4474 Would Mean for Minnesota Players

If SF4474 passes both chambers and is signed into law, sweepstakes casinos would be explicitly illegal in Minnesota. Operators who continue offering services to Minnesota residents after the effective date could face civil and criminal penalties.

However, until it is signed into law:

• No sweepstakes casino is currently banned in Minnesota by statute
• Operators are still legally permitted to serve Minnesota players under the current sweepstakes legal framework
• Minnesota's existing gambling laws have not historically been applied to sweepstakes platforms

Tribal casinos are unaffected. Minnesota's 18 tribal casinos — including Mystic Lake, Treasure Island, Grand Casino, and others — operate under tribal compacts with the state and are entirely separate from the sweepstakes casino issue. SF4474 does not affect tribal gaming in any way.

Which Sweepstakes Casinos Are Still Available in Minnesota (April 2026)

As of April 2026, the following sweepstakes casino platforms remain available to Minnesota players. None have announced voluntary withdrawal from Minnesota in response to SF4474:

• High 5 Casino — Available in MN; one of the longest-running US sweepstakes platforms
• CrownCoins Casino — Available in MN; known for daily bonuses and coin promotions
• Spree Casino — Available in MN; available in 30+ states
• Baba Casino — Available in MN; newer entrant with competitive welcome offers
• Spinfinite — Available in MN; read our full Spinfinite review for game selection and promo details
• Stake.us — Available in MN as of April 2026 (note: Stake.us has exited Illinois voluntarily amid that state's enforcement actions)
• Fortune Coins — Available in MN
• WOW Vegas — Available in MN

Note: Operator availability can change quickly as legislation advances. We verify status monthly. If the Senate floor vote passes, expect some platforms to begin geo-restricting Minnesota ahead of any enforcement date.

For a full ranked list, see our Minnesota sweepstakes casinos hub.

Comparison: Minnesota vs. Other State Bans

Minnesota's situation is unique because the ban is legislatively driven, not the result of an AG opinion or regulatory action. Here's how it compares:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SF4474 going to pass?

SF4474 has passed three Senate committees and had its Finance deadline waived by the Rules Committee — strong signs of legislative support. Whether it passes the full Senate before the May 18, 2026 session close is likely, but a full bicameral passage (both Senate and House) in this session is less certain given the House bill's slower progress. Expect at minimum a Senate floor vote before May 18.

What sweepstakes casinos are still legal in Minnesota?

As of April 2026, sweepstakes casinos are still legal and available in Minnesota. No law banning them has been enacted yet. Platforms currently serving MN players include High 5 Casino, CrownCoins, Spree, Baba, Spinfinite, and others. This may change if SF4474 is signed into law.

When does the Minnesota legislative session end?

The Minnesota 2026 legislative session ends on May 18, 2026. All bills must pass both chambers before this date to be enacted in the current session.

Does SF4474 affect tribal casinos in Minnesota?

No. Minnesota's 18 tribal casinos operate under separate tribal-state gaming compacts. SF4474 targets sweepstakes casinos specifically and has no bearing on tribal gaming operations.

What happens if SF4474 doesn't pass before May 18?

If SF4474 does not pass both chambers before May 18, 2026, it dies for the current session. The bill would need to be re-introduced in the 2027 session. Sweepstakes casinos would remain legal in Minnesota until and unless new legislation is enacted.

Related Coverage

• SF4474 Heads to Senate Floor — What It Means for MN Players
• Minnesota Sweepstakes Casinos Hub — Full Ranked List
• Spinfinite Review — Still Available in Minnesota

Last verified: April 2026. Gerald reviews legal status monthly and updates this guide when material changes occur.