Minnesota House Set to Pass Sports Betting Bill on Wednesday

One thing is certain. It won’t be the anti-climactic ending Minnesota sports betting legislation experienced the last two years.

Political pressures of an election year, charitable gaming needs and pending lawsuits among gaming entities will at least add intrigue. They could also finally propel Minnesota to get sports wagering across the finish line.

Multiple sources tell PlayUSA that the House plans to pass Minnesota sports betting legislation Wednesday and hopes to include a deal between Indian tribes and horse racing on the House floor.

An agreement to bring the horse racing industry on board while maintaining tribal support would add Republican votes and ensure passage in the Senate. However, no deal was in place entering the week. The Minnesota legislative session concludes on May 20.

A new vehicle for Minnesota sports betting

The House Ways and Means Committee prepped legislation for passage by adding sports betting language to HF5274, the historic horse racing (HHR) prohibition bill.

By changing vehicles from HF2000 to HF5274, sponsors Rep. Zack Stephenson and Sen. Matt Klein can avoid a Senate roadblock ahead.

Klein’s SF1949 had stalled in the Senate Finance Committee, where Chair John Marty is not a fan of sports betting and has made some big demands, including prohibiting in-game wagering.

As the House companion to SF1949, HF2000 also would have needed to go through Senate Finance after House passage. But HF5274 can avoid the committee. Klein took over as chief author Monday of SF5354, the HHR prohibition companion bill.

As amended, the House bill no longer includes a prohibition of electronic table games currently being offered at Minnesota racetracks.

Stephenson made another key change for sportsbook operators, making the licensing fee annual rather than every three years. The amount, $250,000 over three years, stays the same with one-third paid each year.