Despite concerns that the latest version of a legal sports betting bill still needs major work, Minnesota’s Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee moved SF 1949 to the Committee on Taxes on Tuesday afternoon.
The bill, which would legalize retail and online sports betting with the tribes in charge, was met with plenty of apprehension, even from groups that support legal wagering.
Sen. Zach Duckworth called out his colleagues, and some witnesses, who pushed to move the bill along before details were solidified. Duckworth said he wanted the issue of whether or not horse racetracks would be included in the legislation and the status of charitable gaming to be solved in committee. He said he believed the lawmakers were the “closest we have ever been” on the gambling bill but that he doesn’t believe the bill is ready to move.
“I believe this is the committee to do the work, so I’m not necessarily in favor of moving it forward,” Duckworth said late in the hearing. “I do believe the tracks need to be given a fair shot and I think they need to have some certainty.