ST. PAUL, MN –  Today Senators rolled out a plan to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. Senators Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), Karla Bigham (DFL- Cottage Grove), Julia Coleman (R- Waconia), Karin Housley (R- Stillwater), and Mark Koran (R- Chisago) attended the press conference to support the effort to bring sports betting to the state.  

“It’s time to move Minnesota forward. We are an island in the Midwest and not the tropical kind,” Chamberlain quipped. “This proposal is good for tribes, it’s good for tracks, and most importantly, it gives Minnesotans gaming options at brick & mortar locations and online vendors. It respects the Tribal Nations and provides a revenue stream to the state. There is no reason we shouldn’t start with this proposal and see it through to the end,” he concluded.  

The proposal as outlined will allow for sports betting at tribal casinos and both racetracks in the state, which would pay licensing fees for in-person gaming. Sub-licenses may be issued by Tribal Nations to vendors for online gaming operations. Revenue from online gaming would be taxed by the state. Revenues will go to the general fund with possible earmarks for the dollars to be determined.  If signed into law this year, it could go into effect in the fall of 2023. 

With the move by Wisconsin to legalize sports wagering, Minnesota is now the only state in our region without a legal option. North of the border Canada allows gaming as well. This means Minnesotans must cross our borders to bet on games or find illegal workarounds with online vendors. Legalizing betting in the state would mean Minnesotans can bet from their own backyard and know they are doing so in a safe manner.