Tribal Association Supports Sports Betting Bill In Minnesota House

The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association has expressed its support for House File 2000, one of three bills to legalize sports betting currently working through the state legislative process.

In a letter to the Minnesota House Human Service Finance Committee, Executive Director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) Andy Platto expressed the organization’s support for the House bill.

“Were HF 2000, as currently drafted, to become law, MIGA tribes believe the resulting mobile and retail markets operated by Minnesota’s tribal nations would not only support tribes but would also provide a well-regulated and accessible market for the state’s sports bettors and a competitive market that is important to our state’s professional sports teams and market partners.”

The tribal group also supports a sports betting bill in the Minnesota Senate.

House bill does not allow acetracks to offer sports betting

MIGA also supports Senate File 3803, known as the Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0. The House bill might be a better deal for tribes. Under HF 2000, only tribes currently operating land-based casinos in Minnesota could obtain a sports betting license. There are 38 casinos in Minnesota. Tribes operate all of them.

The House bill would leave racetracks (some of which also offer limited card games) high and dry, effectively elbowing them out of the potential revenue sports betting could bring. SF 3803 spreads the wealth a bit more. It extends the licensing opportunity to Minnesota’s federally recognized tribes. The state has 11 such tribes. Also, tribes could partner with Minnesota sports teams or racetrack operators to operate retail sportsbooks.

In the letter to the House committee, Plato praised HF 2000’s tax structure, which would support tribes and their members statewide. He also said the group would work with lawmakers on refinements as the bill progresses through Minnesota’s Legislature.

The third sports betting bill is Senate File 1949, introduced last year but was recently withdrawn and sent to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

What’s next for Minnesota sports betting?

With two active sports betting bills in the works, it’s possible lawmakers could support a compromise that balances the offerings of HF 2000 and SF 3803.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said he would sign a sports betting bill into law if it makes it to his desk.

Optimism is high that Minnesota will soon have legalized sports betting. Even if one or a combination of bills pass the Legislature, however, the regulatory process and licensing period could take several months.