New Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Already in Place

The framework of a 2025 Minnesota sports betting bill is reportedly already in place. But will it have the support necessary to pass?

This is basically the same issue The North Star State seemingly faces every year. Previous attempts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota fall short. But stakeholders exit those discussions touting various positives and forms of progress.

Then, in advance of next year’s legislative sessions, we get confirmation that another Minnesota sports betting proposal is just about hammered out. Anticipation rises. Sports betting enthusiasts get their hopes. And then, invariably, the bill falls short, jump-starting this entire cycle of events all over again.

It is paramount to approach any sports betting updates in The North Star State with skepticism as a result. Sure, we must dig into the details of the latest (reported) legislation. But we also have to ask: What will make this year any different from 2024? Or, for that matter, from 2023?

Indian Gaming Executive Director Andy Platto Says Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Framework Already in Place

Let us first begin with the latest on the next Minnesota sports betting push. Earlier this month, at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, Minnesota Indian Gaming Association executive director Andy Platto said that the framework of a bill is essentially agreed upon.

If this seems fast, well, it is really not. In fact, the bill has apparently been in place for some time. Platto intimated that this proposal was effectively hashed out before the last round of legislative sessions ended, after it became clear the 2024 initiative wasn’t going anywhere. Here are his full comments, via Buck Wargo of CDC Gaming:

“A year from now at G2E (Global Gaming Expo), I believe it’s quite possible we will have ended the sports-betting prohibition in Minnesota with a bill that’s tribally exclusive, respects tribal sovereignty, and ensures that every tribe gets a benefit regardless of their ability to garner market share in the mobile market…This includes all tribes, the state’s two horse tracks, and charities that operate a $4 billion a year gaming industry. It’s supported by all of the platforms and Minnesota professional sports teams and by more than half of Minnesota residents. With the election coming up in the House in a few weeks and moving into a budget year, this framework could fall apart. But this is as close as we’ve ever come to ending this decision.”

These comments paint a mostly rosy picture for Minnesota’s chances of sports betting legalization. As always, though, there is another side of the coin to consider.

Will Next Year’s Sports Betting Bill Have Enough Support from Minnesota Representatives

Despite Platto’s overall optimism, he also acknowledges that the initiative may not have the requisite bi-partisan support. As with many other attempts to legalize sports betting in the United States, Minnesota’s structure requires a majority of policymakers to support it. That always mandates endorsements from the GOP, in addition to the DFL party that primarily sponsored the last bill.

This in itself can be a tall order. And depending on how November elections shake out, it could be an even taller one. If the GOP gains more seats in the House of Representatives and Senate, they will carry even more weight in this discussion.

“Our biggest challenge is that we don’t have the votes necessary from one party to pass,” Platto explains (via Wargo). “We need bipartisan cooperation. Gambling policy in Minnesota isn’t generally partisan but controversial bills that require votes from both parties don’t occur in a vacuum. As we saw in the last session in Minnesota and earlier this year, other non-gaming partisan issues dominated the end of the session, which made any kind of bipartisan cooperation to pass a sports-betting bill impossible.”

It is not only the House and Senate control that will shape the fate of the next Minnesota sports betting bill, either. It is also the circumstances under which sports betting will be legalized.

Wild Cards Remain in the Attempt to Push Minnesota Sports Betting Toward Legalization

As we have covered on multiple occasions, the state’s racetracks remain a pivot point for Minnesota sports betting legalization. They have previously sought the ability to apply for sports betting rights. Tribes have staunchly refused. And as Platto lays out, it sounds like the next bill will continue to emphasize tribal exclusivity.

Of course, Platto also seems to think this issue is mostly resolved. So perhaps headway was made last year that is not yet fully realized in the public forums. But getting racetracks on board, likely via some sort of revenue sharing program, isn’t the only hurdle.

Online sports betting in Minnesota looms as another obstacle. Platto told the assembled attendees at G2E that he does not believe tribes will consider “iGaming” a viable option in the next round of discussions. This could be a deal-breaker for potential supporters.

Granted, we need to see the full terms of the rumored 2025 Minnesota sports betting initiative. It could include language that allows top online sportsbooks in the United States to enter the market at tribal partners. Then, down the line, the state and tribal operators may consider expanding to include individual licenses.

However, if the proposal totally prohibits the use of online sportsbooks in the USA, it may cause a stir among lawmakers. After all, online sports betting continues to rise in popularity. There is more money to be made betting on sports online than strictly offering brick-and-mortar services.

Which direction is Minnesota’s next proposal headed in? And will it be successful? It sounds like we will have the answers in a few months.

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