February 3, 2025 3 min read

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Minnesota Pushing a New Sports Betting Bill with Tribal Operators in Focus

Minnesota lawmakers will debate the legalization of sports betting during the new legislative session, with the state one of few to not endorse the activity

Minnesota lawmakers may attempt to push through a new bill that would seek to legalize sports betting in the state by allowing the state’s 11 Native American Tribes to go ahead and launch both retail and interactive experiences.

Sports Betting Once Again a Possibility in Minnesota

Sen. Matt D. Klein has introduced SF 757 which seeks to make this a possibility. Talk about sports betting has been a hot-button topic in the state, so much so that Minnesota is exploring how sports gambling can contribute to social harm.

Fears that the introduction of sports gambling would have broader implications for the level of gambling addiction in the state are not new. A recent Harvard panel stipulated the very same thing, with gambling harm and addiction increasing because of the legalization of gambling.

The bill is also looking to prop up public finances and specifically to use the tax to contribute to charitable gaming organizations and bolster horse tracks, among other public accounts.

Minnesota is one of the few states to have not legalized sports gambling at a time when more than 40 other jurisdictions across the nation, including Washington D.C. have done a similar thing.

The bill further details how sports gambling should happen first, with the gambling age set at 21 years of age. Sports gambling will also be taxed at a fairly standard rate of 22%, based on the net revenues.

Any collected amount will then be divvied up across different budget accounts, with the bulk going to the commission of revenue – 45%. Two tranches of 15% will be earmarked for racing economic development and sports betting equalization accounts. Another 10% will be put into the sports marketing and awareness account.

Finally, 5% will go to the amateur sports integrity and participation account. The bill is much more specific in its language, and it also mentions charitable gaming organizations as recipients of the proceeds from online sports betting tax revenue.

Tribal Operators and Private Interests Clash

This has to do with the antagonistic position that the legalization of sports gambling is bringing in tow. Tribal operators do not see eye-to-eye with either the racetracks or charitable gambling establishments, and the bill seeks to appease both parties.

Yet, there is a clear nod to tribal operators, as they seem to be the ones who will have the opportunity to realize the state’s sports gambling infrastructure. Minnesota would also expect the gambling regulator to issue studies – one that is a baseline study for when sports gambling is implemented, and one carried out three years after that to assess the evolution of gambling and how it impacts people.

Journalist

Although Fiona doesn't have a long-spanning background within the gambling industry, she is an incredibly skilled journalist who has built a strong interest in the constantly growing iGaming network. The team at Gambling News is glad to have her on our roster to help deliver the best stories as soon as they hit. Aside from writing, she loves to dabble in online casino games such as slots and roulette, both for her own enjoyment and also as research to better improve her understanding of the industry.

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