Minnesota House to Consider Sports Betting Bill with Tribal Control After Political Shift
Minnesota is making another push for sports betting legalization with a newly introduced House bill HF 1842. This legislation mirrors an earlier Senate bill that stalled in committee and aims to bring both retail and online sports betting to the state.
The bill grants control over sports betting operations to Minnesota's 11 tribal nations while providing key concessions to racetracks and charitable gaming organizations. All three groups support the legislation - a first in the state's sports betting legislative history.
Key aspects of the proposed legislation:
- 22% tax rate on sports betting revenue
- Minimum betting age of 21
- Full tribal control over retail and online sports betting
- Tax relief payments for charitable gambling organizations
- Racing economic development fund established for state horse tracks
Basketball players handshake after game
The fund distribution structure allocates:
First $12.5 million:
- 40% to standardbred horse racing tracks
- 60% to thoroughbred and quarter horse racing tracks
Beyond $12.5 million:
- 28% to standardbred racing
- 72% to thoroughbred and quarter horse racing
With the Minnesota House currently split 67-67 between Republicans and Democratic-Farmers-League (DFL) members, the bill requires bipartisan support to advance. Bills need 68 votes for approval, and House leadership has indicated that committee hearings will only be scheduled for bills with support from both parties.
The legislative session ends May 19, leaving a narrow window for the bill to progress through both chambers and reach the governor's desk. Despite earlier setbacks, the unique alignment of tribal, charitable gaming, and racetrack interests behind this bill may provide the momentum needed for passage.