In Minnesota, state Senator Jeremy Miller said he plans to introduce the Minnesota Sports Betting Act which would provide grant retail sports betting licenses to the state’s 11 federally recognized tribes, which would be allowed to partner with a professional team or horse racetrack for an additional mobile license. Major sports events, like the Super Bowl, Final Four or Professional Golf Association tournaments, also could receive a temporary retail license.
At a press conference, Miller said, “It’s time to authorize sports betting in Minnesota. As other states move to authorize sports betting, Minnesota is falling behind. We are the only state in the region where it remains fully illegal to bet on sports. The Minnesota Sports Betting Act is a fair and responsible proposal to authorize sports betting here in Minnesota. This proposal is good for the tribes, it’s good for the horse racing tracks, it’s good for the professional sports teams and most importantly, it’s good for the folks who would like to bet on sports here in Minnesota.”
Miller said tax revenue from sports betting would be evenly divided between tax relief for charities, problem gambling services, major sporting events and grants to youth sports organizations.
State Rep. Zack Stephenson also is expected to introduce a sports betting bill within the next few weeks, his spokesperson said. The measure is expected to be similar to legislation he introduced last year; it sailed through the House but failed in the Senate after Miller tried to include racetracks. Under Stephenson’s bill, only the state’s tribes could provide access to online sports betting since they hold exclusive casino gaming rights in Minnesota.
Miller said tribe-exclusive sports betting would not have enough votes to pass both chambers. But the tribes lately have indicated they’d be open to expanded gambling. Last year, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association supported Stephenson’s bill and last month the MIGA released this statement:
“The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association and its 9-member tribal nations support state efforts to authorize sports wagering both at tribal gaming properties and through online/mobile platforms. Tribes are best positioned to provide this new offering to the state’s consumers. MIGA and its members will be closely following the progress of state legislation and look forward to working with other stakeholders to develop an approach that benefits Minnesotans while protecting the Indian gaming operations that tribal and rural communities rely on for jobs and economic health.”
