MN Senators Unveil Plan To Legalize Sports Gambling

ST. PAUL, MN — A bipartisan group of state Senators Wednesday introduced legislation to legalize sports betting in Minnesota.

State senators Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), Karla Bigham (DFL- Cottage Grove), Julia Coleman (R- Waconia), Karin Housley (R- Stillwater), and Mark Koran (R- Chisago) announed the measure in a news conference at the Capitol.

"It’s time to move Minnesota forward. We are an island in the Midwest and not the tropical kind," Chamberlain said.

"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."

The legislation would allow for sports betting at tribal casinos and both racetracks in the state. Tribal Nations could also run online gaming operations.

License fees would go to the state, and revenue from online betting would be taxed by the state.

Revenue from online gaming would be taxed by the state.

Dozens of states have legalized sports gambling since the United States Supreme Court overturned the federal ban on sports betting in 2018. Sports betting North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa is legal, and Wisconsin is poised to legalize it this year.

Minnesota's northern neighbor, Canada, allows gambling as well.

"This means Minnesotans must cross our borders to bet on games or find illegal workarounds with online vendors," The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement. "Legalizing betting in the state would mean Minnesotans can bet from their own backyard and know they are doing so in a safe manner."