Minnesota Revamps Sports Betting Bill, Adding Daily Fantasy Sports and Electronic Pull-Tabs
Date: 2024-03-22 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: SPORTS BETTING
Revamping Minnesota's Sports Betting Bill
Minnesota Representative Zack Stephenson has made substantial changes to HF 2000, ushering in daily fantasy sports and electronic pull-tabs, along with doubling the proposed tax, as the legal sports betting bill progresses through the House on March 21.
A New Amendment Emerges
The A-21 amendment, passing by 8-4, garnered approval by 8-5 votes and now advances to the tax committee for further deliberation. Despite the absence of a crossover deadline, lawmakers aim to legalize sports betting in this session, considering the implications of carrying bills over to 2025.
Long-standing Efforts for Legalization
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota date back to 2018, with Stephenson persistently advocating for statewide digital sports betting for over three years. Although a bill cleared the house in 2022, it faced a roadblock in the senate.
Pulltabs: A Contentious Issue
The recent amendments aim to regulate fantasy sports, previously unregulated, and address concerns surrounding pulltabs and charitable gaming. Stephenson proposed changes to enhance revenue streams for charitable organizations, potentially redirecting substantial funds to the Allied Charities of Minnesota.
Impact on Horse Tracks
The inclusion of horse tracks in offering wagering remains a point of contention. While the senate bill includes tracks and sets a 20% tax rate, concerns loom over the impact on existing gaming associations and tribal interests.
Moving Forward
Despite ongoing discussions and differing viewpoints, Stephenson emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders to forge a mutually agreeable path forward. The senate bill, albeit amended, awaits further deliberations, signifying the complexities involved in legalizing sports betting in Minnesota.
