Minnesota Sports Betting Gets Tribal Backing
The powerful tribes in Minnesota are finally warming up to legalized sports wagering, both retail and online.
“The MIGA and its 10-member tribal nations support state efforts to authorize sports wagering at both tribal gaming properties and through online/mobile platforms and believe tribes are best positioned to offer this new market to the state’s consumers,” the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) said in a statement this week. “MIGA and its members will be monitoring state legislation and look forward to working with other stakeholders.”
Rep. Zack Stephenson is sponsoring a bill in the House. It is the first sports gambling bill to receive a hearing in the state Legislature and will be the first of six committees the measure must pass through.
"It's been a long road to get to this point, and there's a long road in front of us," Stephenson said at Monday’s news conference. "But we've got a lot of momentum, we've got a lot of support across the state. I can comfortably say that the stakeholders that I've talked to are interested in seeing this happen, and happen this year, and we’ve also got bipartisan support.”
Sen. Roger Chamberlain has indicated he would introduce a bill in the Senate. The proposed Senate measure would bring the state's two horse racing tracks on board. That aspect could present a problem as the tribes likely would want full control.
Chamberlain criticized the House plan while suggesting a compromise could occur.
“The offer in its current form will not give the consumer a good product,” he said. “We need to expand the options for consumers to have the best possible experience.”
Should it pass, Governor Tim Walz has indicated he would sign the sports betting legislation.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
