Minnesota is one of twelve remaining states in the USA that doesn’t permit sports betting over the web or in person. MN is surrounded by North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Each of those states offers some form of local sportsbook, and all Minnesotans need to do is cross over into any surrounding state to place a bet. When that happens, the dollars spent there stay there and benefit their citizens.
Senator Jeremy Miller has acknowledged the existing threat to local tax collections and intends to introduce a bill on February 12th that will authorize legal sports betting in Minnesota if passed.
This isn’t the first time an effort like this has been attempted in MN. US states were authorized to choose their own destiny back in 2018 with the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA.
Since then, there have been a few sports betting bills that gained traction in St. Paul, but none have made it to the Governor’s desk. The early word suggests that Senator Miller’s bill doesn’t have much of a chance either.
The reason? There are too many mouths to feed in Minnesota, and not all of them are happy.
“Not every stakeholder is going to get what they want, but with the willingness to work together and compromise, I think we can get it done this year…”
MN Senator Jeremy Miller
Here’s what would be included in the bill as it is drafted today.
What The Bill Includes
- Minnesota’s Native American tribes will be allowed to apply for sportsbook licenses.
- Tribes would be permitted to offer in-person, online, and mobile sports betting.
- A tax rate of 15% is to be collected from all sportsbook revenue.
What The Bill Doesn’t Include
- The ability for retail sportsbook vendors to apply for licensure and operate in MN.
- An option for local racebooks to add sports betting to their slate of gambling services.
Sen. Miller acknowledges the lack of inclusion for existing racetracks but has added language that would deliver 15% of the tax proceeds to them as a form of relief.
Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN, one of the state’s largest racetracks, opposes the plan and intends to combat its passage via an intense lobbying effort.
“We believe that both tracks and tribes should have full sports betting licenses… The market is mature enough for all of us to succeed. We just want that opportunity.”
Canterbury Park Spokesperson Jeff Maday
Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session ends on May 20th, so lawmakers have until then to iron out the details. While local players wait for the results, offshore sports betting sites continue to serve MN over the web.
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