Minnesota lawmakers are again at odds over passing sports betting in the North Star State, as a Senate bill has stalled, which could spell another failed attempt and another long wait until next year.
Setting the Standard
Minnesota’s sports betting proponents are calling the DFL-sponsored House bill an “opportunity to set a national standard for responsible sports betting.” The House proposal, H.F. 1842, is a companion bill to the Senate proposal S.F. 757.
Consumer Protections
Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) shared a statement saying, “We recognize that sports betting is already happening, often in unregulated markets, and our goal is to bring it into a well-structured legal framework that prioritizes consumer protections and responsible gaming. As the bill moves through the legislative process, lawmakers are committed to continued dialogue with stakeholders to refine and strengthen its provisions.
“With bipartisan support and a strong focus on consumer protection, advocates hope this legislation will position Minnesota as a leader in responsible sports betting regulation. We have seen the consequences of inadequate regulations in other states, and we are determined to do this right. Our aim is to create a model that other states can look to when implementing their own sports betting laws.”
Representative Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth) lauded the responsible gambling guardrails in the bill and respecting tribal sovereignty, saying, “Respecting tribal sovereignty and ensuring a fair, regulated, and competitive market emerges in Minnesota is essential.”
Senate Deadlock
Senator Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights) believed he had all his ducks in a row and mirrored his sports betting bill, S.F. 757, after a Senate bill that nearly passed last year and has a wide range of stakeholders supporting it, including tribal nations, tracks, charities, and local professional sports franchises.
However, a committee meeting was deadlocked, 6-6, over the bill back in February, and it appears that could signal the end of another futile Senate attempt to bring sports betting to the masses.
Klein Responds
Klein said after the vote, “For the first time, we reached an agreement this year with all critical stakeholders to legalize and regulate sports wagering in Minnesota. Senate File 757 has the backing of our eleven tribal nations, allied charities, a commercial horse racing track, Minnesota’s professional sports teams, and a bipartisan group of Senators. After extensive negotiations and conversations with people on all sides of this issue, this bill delivers strong consumer protection, dedicated funding to address and prevent problem gambling, and essential revenue to support our charitable gambling organizations that serve communities across Minnesota.
“Today, the committee missed an opportunity to advance legislation that Minnesotans have been demanding for years. Our constituents, tribes, and charities are more than ready for legal and responsible sports wagering—it’s time for lawmakers to catch up and get this done.”
Concerns Over Problem Gambling
The bill has yet to move since the vote was taken, and the chief issue remains concerns regarding problem gambling and the anticipated increase in addiction.
Yet, Klein pointed out that his bill has protections built in, saying, “My bill has significant guardrails. I could name more than 12 of them. And Senator Marty would like some more. And we can keep talking about that.”
