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Politics and Government News
Tim Pugmire
St. Paul

MN lawmakers placing an election year wager on sports betting

Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson grabs a 45-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears on Jan. 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. If some state lawmakers are successful, Minnesotans will soon be able to legally bet on professional sports.
Adam Bettcher | Getty Images file

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Minnesota lawmakers are making another push this year to legalize sports betting in the state.

Sen. Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, and other legislators outlined a proposal Wednesday that they plan to bring forward in the coming weeks. Chamberlain said the legislation is still being written.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t start with this proposal and move forward to get this done,” Chamberlain said.

With sports wagering already legal in neighboring states, Chamberlain said Minnesota should no longer be an island.

Under his plan, sports betting would be allowed at tribal casinos and the state’s two horse racing tracks. There would be licensing fees for in-person wagering and online revenue would be taxed by the state.

But Chamberlain stressed that sports betting would not be a big moneymaker for the state.

“This is about consumers and customers and having some fun,” he said.

Chamberlain said a new gambling compact between the state and Native American tribes will likely be needed. He said there have only been indirect conversations so far. Still, Chamberlain said the legislation could move forward with or without the support of the tribes.

“I want to support their interests. We’re going to negotiate with them,” Chamberlain added.

In response to the news conference, Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Executive Director Andy Platto issued a statement, saying “the tribal governments making up MIGA have been examining the various ways sports betting has been implemented across the country and its impacts on tribal communities. As gaming experts, tribes stand ready to share this expertise with lawmakers considering the future of sports betting in Minnesota.”

If enacted this session, legal sports betting would begin in the fall of 2023.

There is bipartisan support for legalizing sports betting.

Sen. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove, said at the news conference that she’s tired of seeing money going out of state for sports gambling.

“That needs to stop,” Bigham said.

Back in November, state Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, said he, too, was developing sports gambling legislation, but he has not yet introduced a bill. Stephenson is chair of the House Commerce Committee.