SF. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota state Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) has introduced renewed intentions to assist promote authorized sports activities betting in Minnesota after comparable efforts missed the end line final time.
Miller unveiled Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act 2.zero on Wednesday, which he says consists of adjustments based mostly on suggestions from voters, legislators and different stakeholders.
“Minnesota continues to overlook out on what’s now a $100 billion business. To date, 38 different states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, have already legalized sports activities betting,” Miller stated.
IN CONNECTION WITH: A brand new sports activities betting proposal would give horse racing tracks a share of the income in an effort to foot the invoice
In 2023, there have been a number of payments that sought to maneuver Minnesota even additional into legalized sports activities betting, however they differed on key factors, together with the extent to which the state’s Native American tribes, which personal casinos, would have unique entry to state licenses for operation.
“This up to date proposal combines concepts from my authentic Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act together with provisions from different sports activities betting payments that had been launched final session,” Miller stated. “The aim of this proposal is to deliver individuals collectively to work towards a bipartisan answer to legalize sports activities betting in Minnesota. I strongly imagine we are able to do it this yr.”
In final yr’s session, Sen. Matt Klein launched an modification to the laws that may have given the state’s horse racing tracks a share of sports activities playing income as a result of they had been omitted of the settlement to function sportsbooks , calling it “a best-faith effort.” ” to accommodate them. Their participation in a sports activities playing market was thought of a sticking level by some Republicans.
Some opponents of legalization argue that poorer persons are at larger threat of playing dependancy. In response to the Minnesota Alliance on Downside Playing, 250,000 Minnesotans have drawback playing.