Betting Big Again: Sports Wagering Proposal Back on Table

(KNSI) — A renewed proposal to allow sports betting will be back on the agenda for the legislative session.

Senator Jeremy Miller launched the Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0, which builds on previous efforts to legalize sports betting. The new bill incorporates feedback Senator Miller has gotten from constituents, various stakeholders and other lawmakers. He says he aims to “bring folks together to work toward a bipartisan solution to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. I strongly believe we can get it done this year.”

Thirty-eight other states – including our neighboring states – and Puerto Rico allow sports betting. Senator Miller says we are missing out on what is now a $100 billion industry.

Among the new provisions are licensing opportunities for all 11 of the tribal nations to offer retail and mobile betting, which comes with the option to operate retail betting at horse tracks and professional sports stadiums, but there needs to be an agreement with the track operator or the sports team.

Also, a 15% tax would be levied on betting revenue, which Senator Miller says is on par with the national average. Those proceeds would be used for problem gambling resources, supporting youth sports, athlete education programs, charitable gaming tax relief for local charities, attracting major sporting events here, and boosting horse racing.

Some of the “controversial charitable gaming options” eliminated in the 2023 tax bill will be restored, including free plays and bonus games on electronic pull tabs. The tribal nations argued that bonus rounds and free plays on e-pull tabs were too much like slot machines, violating the gaming compacts signed by the tribes and the state. In May of 2023, the Minnesota Court of Appeals agreed. The American Legion and Allied Charities officials, firefighters, children, local nonprofits, and various recipients of charitable donations denounced the decision, saying it would deal a blow to “many small charitable gambling operations all across the state in their missions to help their communities. From offsetting the effects of poverty to aiding youth programs and from purchasing life-saving firefighting equipment to solving veteran homelessness, e-tabs have helped overcome rising costs across the board. Minnesota loses if e-tabs are scaled back.”

“Changes made to electronic pull-tabs last session raised significant concerns from charities across the state,” Senator Miller added. “Restoring some of the functions that were eliminated in last year’s omnibus tax bill would address some of their concerns.”

The bill will be introduced on February 12, 2024 – the first day of the 2024 legislative session.

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