Minnesota Sportsbooks Face Online, College Betting Hurdles

• Senators expressed concern about college sports betting in Minnesota as well as online access.
• Because of their concerns, the MN SF 757 stalls in the committee stage until potential changes are made.

MINNEAPOLIS – A highly anticipated bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota failed to advance in the State and Local Government Committee on Thursday with a deadlocked 6-6 vote.

With an uncertain future, MN SF 757 had the backing of 11 state tribes, charitable gaming groups, Minnesota sports teams, and Canterbury Park. However, concerns over legal online sports betting and college sports wagering rules stalled its progress.

Introduced by Senator Matt Klein, SF 757 aimed to create a legal Minnesota sports betting market surrounding the state’s racetracks. With strong support from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA), Canterbury Park chairman and CEO Randy Sampson also voiced support.

Concerns Over Problem Gambling and College Betting

Despite its backing from major gaming entities, the bill faced significant resistance from lawmakers and advocacy groups concerned about problem gambling and its social impact.

Bishop Michael Izen of the Minnesota Catholic Conference warned that legalizing sports betting could lead to increased problem gambling, domestic violence, and even higher suicide rates among affected individuals.

But the strong discussions came from lawmakers’ hesitancy about online sports betting.

Senator Erin Maye Quade suggested the bill would be more acceptable if it banned college sports betting altogether. She cited the potential for fan pressure on college athletes and the dangers of betting algorithms pushing people to gamble beyond their means.

Senator Steve Drazkowski took an even firmer stance, stating that Minnesota should not pass legislation that creates new societal problems. He compared the bill to the state’s marijuana legalization efforts, arguing that it could fuel addiction and financial hardship.

A 6-6 tie vote effectively stalled MN SF 757, preventing it from advancing out of committee and while supporters may push for amendments or reintroduce similar legislation in the future, this result is a setback. Lawmakers in favor of regulation will need to modify the bill to win over skeptical colleagues, possibly by removing college sports betting or adding stricter consumer protections.

News tags: Erin Maye Quade | Matt Klein | Minnesota | MN SF 757 | State and Local Government Committee