Sports Betting Bill On To Minnesota House Of Representatives

• After passing through the Minnesota Ways and Means Committee, HF 778 now must pass through the House and then the state senate.
• Senate bill 574 still waiting to be heard by Minnesota legislators.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – State-regulated sports betting in Minnesota took a step in the right direction when it passed through the Minnesota Ways and Means Committee. The bill allows 11 Native American Tribes to offer retail and online sports.

The bill now advances to the House floor where it will be discussed and likely amended until a consensus is made. The bill advancing, however, bodes well for the market that has been aiming to go live for years.

What Is Left For HF 778

Despite the news that HF 778 advanced to the House of Representatives, legal sports betting in Minnesota may not be imminent.

If HF 778 were to pass in the house, it would also have to get through the Minnesota Senate. Minnesota’s legislative sessions end on May 23rd, which leaves very little wiggle room for any potential snags along the way for HF 778.

That may be an issue because there was a debate within the Minnesota Ways and Means Committee on the 10% tax rate set by the bill.

Rep. Tim Miller was pushing to change the taxation number to zero percent, but that was eventually voted against. Miller did promise to bring up the proposed lowering of the tax rate at the next vote on HF 778.

Other Sports Betting Bill In Minnesota Senate

The other legal sports betting proposal in Minnesota has yet to have any scheduled hearings.

SB 574 was created in the Minnesota Senate, which would allow the Native American tribes and racetracks in Minnesota the opportunity to offer sports betting.

Should HF 778 fail to be successful, SB 574 is the likely next step that lawmakers would jump behind to get sports betting regulated in Minnesota this year.

News tags: HF 778 | Minnesota | Minnesota Ways and Means Committee | Saint Paul | SB 574 | Tim Miller