Though Minnesota's legislative session is nearly two weeks away, discussions about legalizing sports betting in the North Star State are already underway.
In 2024, Minnesota came close to passing a bill to legalize both online and retail sports betting, with state tribes, racetracks and charities reaching an unprecedented agreement on tax revenue sharing. Many lawmakers are optimistic about advancing the conversation in 2025 to finally enact the legislation.
Several legislators have already expressed their intention to push the discussion forward on sports betting.
One of them is State Sen. Matt Klein.
Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Ready To Go
Senator Klein plans to introduce new legislation to legalize sports betting in Minnesota on January 14, 2025, the first day of the new session.
Reflecting on last year’s near success, Klein, who previously spearheaded the effort in the Senate, is determined not to delay. His previous bill stalled in May but sparked substantial debate.
In an interview with the Minnesota News Network, Klein said: “The argument I always make is people are already doing it in illegal and unregulated markets, usually offshore markets. That’s only going to increase. If we want a responsible, safe and taxable sports wagering process in Minnesota, we need to pass a bill.”
Despite bipartisan interest, Klein acknowledges facing opposition from Democrats and Republicans alike, posing the biggest hurdle to the bill's passage.
Senator Miller on Board With Getting Sports Betting Passed
Sen. Jeremy Miller is also pledging to continue to work towards a sports betting deal. In a post on his X account, the senator acknowledged the budget will be the main focus of the upcoming legislative session. Still, he says he’s committed to getting a sports betting bill passed in Minnesota as quickly as possible.
It’s time to get a sports betting bill passed here in Minnesota. Let’s work together and get it done! pic.twitter.com/TePloqFD89
— Jeremy Miller (@jeremyrmiller) November 7, 2024
Miller has introduced several pieces of sports betting legislation.
Minnesota Senator Opposes Sports Betting Plan
On the other side of the argument is Senator John Marty. He has organized a meeting with the Senate Finance Committee on January 8 to discuss the negative impacts of online sports betting.
Marty, who has long opposed sports betting in Minnesota, changed his approach in 2024 by introducing his own bill, SF 5330. This bill aimed to give Minnesota tribes exclusive rights to sports betting while directing most of the revenue to combat gambling addiction, including public awareness initiatives through a National Council on Problem Gambling affiliate.
Marty plans to introduce a similar bill in the upcoming legislative session, as he believes sports betting won't generate significant revenue and will increase taxpayer costs for treating gambling addiction.
Legalized Sports Betting Vote Seems Inevitable
The Minnesota Legislative Budget Office projects that legalizing online sports betting could yield nearly $90 million annually in state tax revenue.
While Minnesota lacks commercial and online casinos, commercial sportsbooks often collaborate with Native American tribes in several states, such as Arizona, Michigan, Washington and Wisconsin.
In some regions, tribal gaming entities demand exclusivity for sports betting, stifling competition. This can lead to scenarios where sports wagering is entirely banned, like in California, or where it benefits only the tribes, resulting in minimal revenue for the state, as seen in Washington.
It appears that both sides are willing to work towards a compromise in a thriving sports betting market made up of nearly 6 million sports-obsessed fans.
