Revised Sports Betting Bill Already a Hot Topic in Minnesota

Revised sports betting bill has become a hot topic in Minnesota

Sports betting will be back on the agenda on the first day of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session. Minnesota Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) is stepping up his push to legalize sports betting.

Miller introduced Minnesota Sports Betting Bill 2.0, which he said includes changes to previous bills based on feedback from legislators and voters.

In 2023, São Paulo state lawmakers failed to pass several bills to promote sports betting. The same was true in 2022, when lawmakers criticized the process, erasing that year's efforts.

Last year's sports betting law differed in the state's Indian tribes' exclusive access to state operating licenses. Native American tribes own casinos in the North Star State.

“This updated proposal combines ideas from my original Minnesota sports betting bill with provisions from other sports betting bills introduced last session,” Miller said. “The goal of this proposal is to bring people together to enact bipartisan legislation. Solution, legalize sports betting in Minnesota. I have no doubt we can do it this year."

Miller will introduce Minnesota Sports Betting Bill 2.0 on February 12.

What is included in the revised bill

Miller said Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0 includes licensing opportunities for retail and mobile sports betting for Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations. License holders will be able to place retail wagers at Minnesota racetracks or professional sports venues.

Sports betting sales will be taxed at a rate of 15%. Miller said the tax revenue would provide gambling tax breaks for local charities, promote horse racing and attract major sporting events.

The revised bill includes some charitable gaming options eliminated in the 2023 tax law, including free spins and bonus games on electronic pull-tabs.

An amendment to bring some sports betting revenue to the state's racetracks in 2023 is seen by some Republicans as a sticking point.

Revised bill encounters early resistance

Even before the matter comes before the Legislature, there are challenges. While Miller called the measure 2.0 and said it relied on revising and combining ideas based on previous efforts, it did not receive early approval from Canterbury Park.

The sports betting proposal would not allow racetracks to hold licenses.

We believe both athletics and the Tribe should have a full sports betting license," said Canterbury spokesman Jeff Mady. "The market is mature enough for all of us to be successful. We just want this opportunity. "

Miller said a bill to provide licensing opportunities for racetracks did not have the votes needed to pass.

The Senate and House of Representatives meet regularly for 120 days during a two-year term. Minnesota is the only state in the region without a legal sports betting option.

Thirty-eight states, along with Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., have legalized sports betting.