A third bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota was filed Thursday by Sen. John Marty, and the legislation comes with a large tax rate and a heavy emphasis on problem and responsible gambling.
Marty's bill, SF 5330, features a minimum tax rate of 40%, a jarring difference compared to SF 1949 (20%) and HF 2000 (10%). The bill will allow up to 11 sports betting apps to go live in the state, with an open application process for the operator licenses.
The other two bills tie license access to the state's tribes. It's unlikely that Marty's bill will garner tribal support without including a provision that guarantees them licenses. The bill does not allow for historical horse racing, and the lack of any guaranteed inclusion of the state's horse racing tracks could be an issue in garnering widespread support.
Responsible gambling focus
Marty's bill, like SF 1949, prohibits in-game wagering. The bill also includes language that would require geofencing around the state's schools, prohibiting wagering on both elementary school properties and college campuses.