Posted on: January 22, 2024, 02:24h.
Final up to date on: January 22, 2024, 02:24h.
Sports activities betting might be again on the agenda on the primary day of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session. Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) is redoubling efforts to legalize sports activities betting.
Miller has unveiled the Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act 2.0, which he says consists of modifications of earlier payments based mostly on the suggestions he acquired from legislators and constituents.
In 2023, state lawmakers in St. Paul had been unable to maneuver a number of payments to advance sports activities betting. Such was the case in 2022 as effectively when lawmakers criticized the method, which killed the hassle for that 12 months.
Final 12 months’s sports activities betting payments differed on the extent of unique entry to state licenses of operation for the state’s Native American tribes. Native American tribes personal the casinos within the North Star State.
This up to date proposal combines concepts from my unique Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act together with provisions from different sports activities betting payments that had been launched final session,” Miller mentioned. “The objective of this proposal is to deliver of us collectively to phrase towards a bipartisan resolution to legalize sports activities betting in Minnesota. I strongly consider we will get it completed this 12 months.”
Miller will introduce Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act 2.Zero on February 12.
What’s Included within the Revised Invoice
Miller says the Minnesota Sports activities Betting Act 2.Zero consists of licensing alternatives for Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations to supply retail and cellular sports activities betting. License holders would have the choice to function retail betting on the premises of horse racing tracks or skilled sports activities stadiums in Minnesota.
Sports activities betting income can be taxed at a 15% price. Tax proceeds, in keeping with Miller, would supply charitable gaming tax aid to native charities, enhance horse racing, and entice main sporting occasions.
The revised invoice consists of some charitable gaming choices eradicated within the 2023 tax invoice, together with free performs and bonus video games on digital pull tabs.
In 2023, an modification to incorporate a portion of the sports activities playing income to the state’s horse racing tracks was thought of a sticking level for some Republicans.
Revised Invoice Faces Early Opposition
Even earlier than the matter comes earlier than lawmakers, there are challenges. Whereas Miller calls the measure 2.Zero and says it’s based mostly on modifications and mixed concepts based mostly on earlier efforts, it isn’t getting early approval from Canterbury Park.
The sports activities betting proposal doesn’t give racetracks the flexibility to carry a license.
“We consider that each tracks and tribes ought to have full sports activities betting licenses,” mentioned Canterbury spokesperson Jeff Maday. “The market is mature sufficient for all of us to succeed. We simply need that chance.”
Miller mentioned a invoice giving racetracks licensing alternatives doesn’t have the votes wanted to go.
The Senate and Home meet in common session for a complete of 120 days within the two-year time period. Minnesota is the one state within the area with no authorized sports activities betting possibility.
Thirty-eight states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, DC have legalized sports activities betting.
