A Republican senator from Minnesota said he plans to introduce a bill to legalize sports in the state.
On Tuesday, Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) unveiled his plan, which would allow on-site and mobile sports betting, with some restrictions.
“It’s time to allow gambling in Minnesota,” Miller said. “While other states allow gambling betting, Minnesota is lagging behind. We are the only state in the region where it is still totally illegal to bet on games. “Minnesota Sports Betting law is a fair and guilty proposal to allow betting on games here in Minnesota. This proposal is smart for tribes, it’s smart for racetracks, it’s smart for professional gaming teams, and most importantly, it’s smart for other people who would like to bet on the game here in Minnesota. It is long overdue, and it is time to do it!”
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Pressure to legalize sports betting in Minnesota has increased in recent years and was even passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives last year before stalling in the Senate. With the DFL now in control of both sides, there has been renewed optimism that this may be the year a bill is passed, there are still warring parties on both sides of the aisle.
On a KSTP/SurveyUSA ballot last April, 64 percent of Minnesotans surveyed said they supported legalizing sports betting and 57 percent said they had an idea for mobile sports betting to be allowed as well.
The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) has also opposed previous versions of the bill. While the agreement did not promptly take into account a relationship with Miller’s proposal, it did take into account at the beginning of the consultation that it said:
“(MIGA) and its 10 member tribal nations strive to enable sports betting at tribal gambling houses and through online/mobile platforms. Tribes are in the most productive position to provide this new service to consumers in the state. MIGA and its members will closely follow the evolution of state law and look forward to working with other stakeholders to expand a technique that benefits Minnesotans while protecting Indian gambling operations that tribal and rural communities depend on for their work and economic health.
Under Miller’s plan, the tribes would provide on-site betting, as would the state’s two racetracks and all professional sports teams. Tribes would also have the option of having a number one cell license and a cellular association license to partner with a racetrack or sports team for mobile betting, and major events like the Super Bowl can get a transitional license to offer sports betting on the site.
Miller also proposes that sports betting revenues be similarly split between tax relief for charities, for intellectual fitness and gambling, major sporting events and youth sports subsidies.
This comes as revenues continue to skyrocket and more states, in addition to those bordering Minnesota, are rushing to legalize sports betting. Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota already allow some form of sports betting, and North Dakota is moving in that direction as well.
As of Tuesday, Miller had still officially introduced the bill, but will most likely do so in the coming days.
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