Senators in Minnesota convened March 3 to again try to legalize sports betting. Last year, an initial attempt failed.
Senator Roger Chamberlain unveiled a comprehensive amendment which tightens the language of SF 1894. He discussed the changes at an informational hearing before the State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee.
The committee did not vote to advance the bill.
The Republican senator received pushback from problem gambling experts. Several advocates testified on the importance of creating mechanisms to aid compulsive gamblers across the state.
Northstar Problem Gaming Alliance Executive Director Susan Sheridan Tucker asked legislators to create a provision that would require the Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission to set aside 1 percent of gross gaming revenues from sports betting to compulsive gambling issues. Chamberlain admitted he inadvertently omitted the provision from an amendment to the original bill.
“We’re happy to do 1 percent,” he told SportsHandle.
The amendment also struck down a section that would have established a limit on the number of licenses the commission could grant to federally-recognized Indian tribes, as well as authorized racetrack licensees.
A prior version of the bill capped at five the number of sportsbook operator licenses for tribal casinos and two for racetracks. But some two dozen Minnesota casinos operate among the state’s 11 federally recognized tribes, along with Canterbury Park racetrack in Shakopee and Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in Columbus.
The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association told the committee to examine the impact of sports betting in other states with a significant tribal presence. A bill passed last July in North Carolina authorized two casinos to offer legalized sports wagering, while legislators in Washington state are close to approving a bill that would approve sports betting on a tribal-only basis.
“Our position is unchanged. The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association continues to oppose the expansion of off-reservation gambling, including the legalization of sports betting,” MIGA Executive Director John McCarthy wrote in a letter to the committee.
Chamberlain does not want to limit access to the tribal groups, he added. If all 11 intend to pursue sports betting operations the bill will allow it. He favors mobile betting, but still expects to add language that would restrict bettors from placing wagers through online platforms.
“We certainly don’t intend to make it available to people sitting at their computers,” Chamberlain said.
Getting a joint bill to the Governor in time for football season may prove challenging, especially one the tribal groups accept.
“There are more important things to deal with but we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” Chamberlain said.
