Lawmakers are taking another shot at legalizing retail and online sports betting in Minnesota, and multiple bills have been filed or assigned to committee since the state legislative session opened on Monday.
While at least one of the bills has been updated since last year’s failed attempt to legalize, it appears that a key hurdle remains, with Sen. Jeremy Miller’s “Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0” allowing for in-person betting at horse racetracks and professional sports venues. Minnesota’s 11 tribes have long had a monopoly on gambling in the state, and including the tracks or other commercial entities has traditionally been a non-starter.
In addition to Miller’s bill, HF 2000, a version of which Rep. Zach Stephenson shepherded through the House in 2022, will also be in play. That bill maintains the tribal monopoly and has been assigned to the House Human Services Finance Committee. Miller’s bill, SF 3803, was assigned Thursday to the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.
Minnesota’s legislative session is scheduled to run through May 20, and while there is no crossover deadline, bills originating in non-fiscal committees must pass by March 22, while bills from fiscal committees must pass by April 19.