On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to authorize both brick-and-mortar and online sports betting. 

The measure was approved by a vote of 70 to 57, with support coming from members of both parties. 

Residents may look forward to the launch of Minnesota sports betting market in the state sooner than later. 

The primary proponent of the legislation, Representative Zack Stephenson, said that “this is an idea whose time has come.”

Minnesota Sports Betting needs Senate vote to launch

Even while there is reason to be optimistic about the future of sports betting in Minnesota, there is still more work to be done since the House and Senate have not reached an agreement on the manner in which legalization will be implemented in the state. 

During a press conference on Tuesday at the Capitol, the Majority Leader of the Senate, Jeremy Miller, informed reporters that “sports betting is still a work in progress. 

The allocation of incoming funds from various forms of taxation has emerged as the most contentious issue between the House and the Senate. The measure being considered in the House seeks, among other things, to divert tax income toward regulation, programs to combat compulsive gambling, and youth sports. 

The problem gambling projects would get part of the cash that would be put aside under the Senate’s plan, but the majority of the revenue would go into the general treasury of the state. In addition, the Senate is adamant that betting at the state’s racetracks be included in the law, despite the fact that the House plan did not include this provision. 

Not so long ago, Miller said that a legalization proposal for gambling on sports must include racetracks for the Senate to accept the idea. Because the parliamentary session will expire on May 23, there is very little time left for the executive and legislative branches to come to an agreement.

Top 3 Online Casinos For Players From Minnesota, USA

• Slot Title
• Pay Back
• Key Features

1

Up to $12,500 Welcome Bonus

• Casino Payout: 98.01%
• Payout Speed: 3-5 days

Up to $12,500 Welcome BonusPlay NowOur score:

Up to $12,500 Welcome Bonus

Read more

2

Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000

• Casino Payout: 97.92%
• Payout Speed: 1-3 days

Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000Play NowOur score:

Bonus for first nine deposits, up to $5,000

Read more

3

250% first deposit bonus up to $1,500

• Casino Payout: 98.32%
• Payout speed: 1-2 days

250% first deposit bonus up to $1,500Play NowOur score:

250% first deposit bonus up to $1,500

Read more

Responses to Criticism Often Result in Amendments

The legalization of retail and online sports betting in Minnesota has been met with strong resistance in the state from various organizations who are worried about the potentially harmful effects on society. 

In a letter sent in March to Governor Tim Walz and members of the legislature, religious leaders of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition voiced their worries over addiction as well as the consequences that problem gambling has on those who are already living in poverty. 

In their letter, the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition also requested that the state’s legal gambling age be raised from 18 to 21 years of age. This was one of the proposed adjustments to the rules that are already in place.

Moreover, it was emphasized that “we firmly reject any consideration of gambling expansion and ask upon you to desist from any discussion of expanded gaming until our state meets the needs under our present laws.”

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to adopt revisions to a measure that would increase the amount of free therapy hours that the state would give to families of compulsive gamblers as well as compulsive gamblers themselves. 

In addition, the House of Representatives consented to restrictions on the amount of money that may be spent on marketing for mobile sports betting and established protections, such as the ban of the majority of push notifications sent by betting applications on smartphones.

Experiencing a loss in Revenue

Following the overturning of the federal prohibition on sports betting by the Supreme Court in 2018, the practice has been decriminalized in thirty states, including all of Minnesota’s surrounding states.

 Stephenson referred to the underground sports betting industry in Minnesota as “strong,” and he noted that the state is losing out on considerable income as a result. 

An all-time high of more than $57 billion was recorded for the handling of commercial sports betting in the United States in 2021 by the American Gaming Association. Stephenson continued by saying that “what this law is about is establishing a legal marketplace that will supplant that black market, and in doing so, give consumer protection, preserve the integrity of the game, and prevent money laundering and other criminal conduct.