Minnesota lawmakers propose legalization of online sports betting

A group of Minnesota state senators have outlined a proposal to open the state up to sports betting, both retail and online, with the hope of garnering tribal support.

Minnesota is reportedly moving to legalize online and retail sports betting across the state. This comes after a group of bipartisan state senators outlined a plan to both launch the market and support tribal operators at the same time. 

This proposal would see retail sports betting launched at brick-and-mortar properties on Native reservations as well as the region’s two horseracing tracks. Meanwhile, as the state looks to cash in on the ever-growing online gaming market in the country, lawmakers will work to launch online sportsbooks through exclusively tribal means. 

Speaking on the potential launch of sports betting in the state, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association said: “The tribal governments making up MIGA have been examining the various ways sports betting has been implemented across the country and its impacts on tribal communities. 

“As gaming experts, tribes stand ready to share this expertise with lawmakers considering the future of sports betting in Minnesota.”

A number of senators are supporting this initiative, including Julia Coleman, R-Waconia who said: “This is something that people in Minnesota want to see happen — that they’re, quite frankly, traveling across the border to make happen.”

She continued: “This is a win-win scenario for the people of Minnesota and for the state of Minnesota.”

One of the most vocal proponents of legalized sports betting in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is Sen. Roger Chamberlain, who added: “I’ve been saying from the first day, this is not a big cash cow — this is about consumers and customers and having some fun.”

While it remains to be seen whether this proposal will be granted, it does seem to, at least in part, address many of the complaints that tribal operators had towards an open and legalized sports betting market in Minnesota. 

Henry Moore

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