​​AGED ensures we can enjoy a cold beer or friendly wager safely
 

Feb. 6, 2023
 

Having a cold drink at a bar or playing some rounds on the slot machines at the casino can be a fun way to relax and have a good time. Minnesotans can enjoy either one confidently and safely thanks to our Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED).​
 

AGED oversees two highly regulated industries, both of which evolve constantly. The team balances providing service to the industry with protecting the public to make sure everyone in Minnesota can enjoy a friendly wager or alcoholic beverage responsibly.

AGED is here to make sure that when you go to a bar or restaurant and order a drink, you get exactly what you're paying for. Among other responsibilities, AGED inspects retail establishments that sell alcohol to make sure they're compliant with the law and dealing honestly with their patrons.

AGED inspectors make sure businesses have valid licenses. They examine tap lines to make sure that the name of the beer on the tap matches the name of the beer on the barrel the tap is connected to. In the past they've found people selling a cheaper beer but charging for a more expensive one, which is illegal. Patrons have to know what they're getting.

Our team also makes sure that the liquor you order is the liquor you get. They test to make sure bars aren't watering down alcohol or refilling the bottles of high-end liquor with cheaper products. They also check the bottles for debris, such as bugs.

AGED is also here to protect Minnesotans from gambling that turns out to be no gamble at all for the organizers. In other words, our team enforces gambling laws to prevent scammers from stealing your hard-earned money through fraudulent wagers.

Our division includes sworn law enforcement officers who provide education, investigation and enforcement services to local governments, the Gambling Control Board, the Minnesota Racing Commission, the State Lottery and the 11 tribal governments that own and operate 18 tribal casinos in Minnesota.

It's tempting to ramp up the excitement of sports games by betting on the outcome; however, organized sports gambling is illegal in Minnesota, and there are no guarantees that you'll get paid if you win.

It's not just about making sure people follow the law; it's about consumer protection. Without AGED, there's no way to know if the betting will be run fairly. And there are no processes in place to identify and assist with problem gambling.

For more information on AGED and what we do, visit our website.​​​