After pro-sports betting legislators failed to get their bills advanced last year, State Senator Jeremy Miller believes he has the answer, sponsoring the Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0 when the session opens on February 12th.
Explore the key aspects of Senator Miller’s initiative and consider its implications for the top-rated online sportsbooks.
Bringing Folks Together
Forging bipartisan support coupled with an equitable agreement between the state’s horse racetracks and the 11 Native American tribes in the state will be a tall task. However, Senator Jeremy Miller believes his bill has what it takes to succeed where others, including his previous attempts, have failed.
“This updated proposal combines ideas from my original Minnesota Sports Betting Act along with provisions from other sports betting bills that were introduced last session. The goal of this proposal is to bring folks together to work toward a bipartisan solution to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. I strongly believe we can get it done this year.”
Unlike previous bills, Miller’s latest iteration includes an increase in the state’s cut of the proceeds, from 10% to 15% in his Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0. The highlights of the bill are as follows:
- Licensing opportunities for all 11 tribal nations in Minnesota to offer retail and online sports betting.
- A 15% tax rate, with money going towards local charities, youth sports, and resources for gambling addicts. The 2023 version proposed a 10% tax rate.
- Reintroducing charitable gaming options removed from the 2023 tax bill, including free plays and bonus games on electronic pull tabs. As estimated, Minnesota could make about $30 million annually, investing half the revenue to address problem gambling and half to support youth athletics.
Miller said, “Minnesota continues to miss out on what is now a $100 billion industry. So far, 38 other states plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. have already legalized sports betting.”
Time is of the Essence
The more support a bill has the better its chance of getting passed.
That’s a simple concept in politics and one that needs to be considered after sports betting advocate and Minnesota State Representative Pat Garafolo announced he will not be seeking reelection when his term expires in 2025.
Therefore, it will behoove Senator Miller and all those in the legislature who want to get a deal done this session to do it while Garafolo is still in power. The Republican, who represents District 58B, has been a fixture at the State House for 20 years and time is of the essence to get his assistance on Senator Miller’s bill.
Garafolo worked on previous sports betting legislation but was unable to bring it across the finish line. However, he has been vocal in his support for a 21 and older age of consent to make a sports bet, even if the age to enter a tribal casino in the state is 18 and up.
“Additionally, I remain very concerned that the current version of the bill would allow teenagers to bet on sports. Like other states, Minnesota should have a sports gambling age of 21. Legalized sports betting presents great opportunities for Minnesota, and we need to make sure we do this right.” Garofalo said in February 2023 about last year’s attempt to get sports betting legislation passed.
Bookmakers Review will continue to monitor this story and update our readers as events unfold.
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