Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Returns to House with Unprecedented Coalition Support
A coalition of nine Minnesota House representatives introduced HF 1842, a sports betting legalization bill that mirrors the previously stalled Senate bill SF 757. The legislation aims to legalize both online and retail sports betting under tribal control.
Basketball players handshake after game
The bill would grant sports betting control to Minnesota's 11 tribal nations, while providing key concessions to state racetracks and charitable gaming organizations. This marks the first time all three stakeholder groups support the same legislation.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- 22% sports betting tax rate
- Minimum age requirement of 21
- Tax relief payments for charitable gambling organizations
- Racing economic development fund establishing payments to state horse tracks
Fund distribution structure:
- First $12.5 million:
- 40% to standardbred racing track
- 60% to thoroughbred/quarter horse racing track
- Excess beyond $12.5 million:
- 28% to standardbred racing track
- 72% to thoroughbred/quarter horse racing track
The bill's timing coincides with the House returning to a 67-67 tie between Republicans and DFLs following a special election. While House Majority Leader Rep. Harry Niska expressed optimism about cooperation, House caucus leader Melissa Hortman indicated bills need bipartisan support for committee hearings.
For the legislation to advance, it must secure 68 votes in the House before moving to the Senate. The current legislative session ends May 19.
Eligible tribes under the proposed legislation:
- Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Grand Portage Band of Chippewa
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
- Lower Sioux Indian Community
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
- Prairie Island Indian Community
- Red Lake Nation
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
- Upper Sioux Community
- White Earth Nation