Why Minnesota Struggles to Pass Sports Betting

Many have never heard about how Minnesota stakeholders brokered a deal because the news was lost under the bigger news that California could bring a sports betting initiative to the table by 2026. Minnesota lawmakers have tried to pass retail and digital sports betting through multiple sessions but to no avail. The bill passed through the House in 2022 but hasn't received a vote this year.

Why Minnesota Struggles to Pass Sports Betting

The Indian tribes of Minnesota hold exclusive rights to gaming in the state. Seeing as they already operate at land-based casinos, they don't have much incentive to reach an agreement for sports betting. Andy Platto, the executive director at the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, has said that despite digital proving elusive, stakeholders have reached an agreement. The concerns now with getting something to pass would be a political battle.

Right now all stakeholders agree to the terms of the agreement. Reaching this level matters because Minnesota has never come this close to passing an agreement.

New Governor Next Month: What Will Happen?

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz supports legal wagering, but because Kamala Harris chose him as her running mate, he may not stay the governor long. Provided they would win the presidential office, Minnesota would need a new governor. Under Minnesota law, the Lieutenant-Governor Peggy Flanagan would step in.

Not only would Peggy Flanagan make for the first female Minnesota state governor, but she would also become the first indigenous governor of the state to hold office anywhere in the United States. Being an indigenous woman, Flanagan would likely move the legislation forward since the undercurrent seems positive in that direction right now. She would still protect tribal sovereignty. What could harm this legislation going forward would have to do with other political changes in the Minnesota legislature.

Minnesota has a total of 134 seats in the House. Around 20 of those representatives plan to retire soon like the one-time wagering bill sponsor Pat Garofolo. As of now, Minnesota has a majority with the Democrat-Farmer-Labor (DFL) in both chambers. The sitting state senate will remain there until 2026.

Why Minnesota Has Never Passed Sports Betting

Several champions from the House and Senate have praised the sports betting bills, but they ultimately have never drawn enough support to pass one of them. To get it to pass, the bill would need bi-partisan support because right now, the bill has never had enough attention from one party to get it to pass. Platto has said that this has become one of the great challenges of getting sports betting legalized. Gaming has never been a partisan issue in Minnesota, but it has never received enough votes to get it to pass.

Final Thoughts

What will happen in Minnesota remains to be seen, but we have never seen the bill make this much progress before. That shows signs of positive movements forward. In 2024, a lot of distraction was taken away from the bill, but it may see more support in the coming year.