Minnesota Senator Roger Chamberlain has introduced an updated version of SF 1894, the sports betting bill he filed last year, to include in-person registration. It’s seen as a way to ease concerns by tribal casino operators who think the bets will siphon off business.
The tribes aren’t convinced.
“Minnesota tribes remain concerned that a legal sports betting market could have negative consequences to the state’s delicate gaming industry,” wrote Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Executive Director John McCarthy, in a statement to the Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee. MIGA represents 11 tribes that operate 19 casinos.
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin agreed. Previously she said, “As it starts to evolve in other states, we need to look at the data of how it would affect Minnesota. Currently, we’re looking at a possible 4.5 percent increase in revenue from sports betting. That’s not a lot of economic benefit, so we’re proposing that we wait and see what’s going to happen in a year or so and how that will impact the tribes.”
Besides requiring in-person registration for mobile sports wagering accounts at Minnesota casinos or racetracks, Chamberlain’s bill would allow a sports betting operator to offer two individually branded sports wagering platforms with a mobile application. It also would allow emergency rules to get sports betting applicants up and running as quickly as possible after enactment of the law. Also, the measure would clarify that state sports betting law preempts local law.
Chamberlain said Minnesota needs to legalize sports betting to quash the underground economy, provide consumer protections and create new revenue streams. He said, “Some people obviously are concerned about the expansion of gambling. As you’re aware, in Minnesota, we already have the tribal casinos, Minnesota lottery, charitable gaming and even bingo at your local pub. There are billions and billions of dollars right now being wagered in this state.”
