New sports betting legislation was introduced in the Minnesota House this week by Reps Zach Stephenson and Pat Garofalo.
If the bill passes successful, all adult residents will be able to wager on sports on mobile devices and through brick-and-mortar properties.
The bill’s sponsors say that the revenue generated from a legal and regulated sports betting industry in Minnesota will benefit the community, such as providing grants to youth sports teams in high-crime areas.
Said Zach Stephenson: “This legislation will bring about the most significant change to Minnesota’s gaming laws in many years. State lawmakers in the Minnesota House have crafted a thoughtful bill based on respectful consultation with sovereign tribal nations, professional sports teams, experts in problem gaming, and many other stakeholders. This is the year we get sports betting done in Minnesota.”
His co-sponsor, Pat Garofalo added: “The current sports gambling black market is indefensible. A majority of states have abandoned the underground market and instead chosen a legalized sports gambling marketplace. It is time for Minnesota to do the same.”
The bill now heads to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and has a hearing set this week.
Minnesota lags behind other states in the upper Midwest who have already legalized sports gambling, including North and South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.
