Senator set to introduce updated bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota
Jeremy Miller set to introduce Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0 when state’s new legislative session opens on February 12
Minnesota is once again looking to legalize sports betting after State Senator Jeremy Miller unveiled a revised bill.
The Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0 will be formally introduced to the Senate on February 12, the first day of the state’s legislative session.
Last year, legislators tabled several Senate and House bills through Minnesota’s tribal gaming operators but all failed to pass due several issues.
Sports betting companion bills were introduced by Representative Zach Stephenson and Senator Matt Klien in 2023.
These included the level to which the state’s 11 tribes would have exclusive access to betting licenses as well as options to operate on Minnesota-based horse racing tracks and professional stadiums.
Senator Miller’s updated bill aims to address the sticking points and build on previous legislative efforts, through incorporating feedback from constituents, legislators and stakeholders, including the provision of licensing opportunities to all tribal nations to offer retail and mobile sports betting.
The tax on sports betting would be 15% of net revenue on wagers placed, which is broadly in line with the national average, but “any wager placed on Indian lands” will not be subject to state taxation.
Discussing the bill, as reported by CBS and Covers.com, Miller highlighted the tax dollars Minnesota was missing out on by not legalizing sports betting.
The senator said: “Minnesota continues to miss out on what is now a $100bn industry. So far, 38 other states plus Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, have already legalized sports betting.
“This updated proposal combines ideas from my original Minnesota Sports Betting Act along with provisions from other sports betting bills that were introduced last session.
“The goal of this proposal is to bring folks together to work toward a bipartisan solution to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. I strongly believe we can get it done this year.”
Another amendment to the revised bill from previous versions is license holders being able to operate retail sports betting at both horse racing tracks and professional sports stadiums.