While optimism for sports betting legalization in Minnesota has dwindled in recent weeks, a glimmer of hope remains with about 10 days left in the state's legislative session.
Friday, the Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee moved sports betting language in HF 2000 into HF 5274, a bill that would ban historical horse racing in the state. The bill was sent to the House floor.
The language in HF 2000 would bring legal sports betting apps to the state, with Minnesota's 11 recognized tribes being granted mobile operator licenses. Sports wagering revenue would be taxed at 20%.
It's unclear if the bill will receive the necessary support in the Senate to become law, but Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman told chances of a bill passing were 60-40 in her estimation. That's a dramatic shift from a few days ago, when several legislators implied the effort was all but dead.