Minnesota Representative Zack Stephenson and Senator Matt Klein have introduced two bills that would legalize online sports betting through the state’s tribes.
In a first for the state, both HF2000 and SF1949 have received unilateral support from state tribes and sporting leagues suggesting that sports betting in Minnesota may become a reality sometime this year.
The legislation makes provisions for 11 mobile sports betting licenses which would be allocated to the state tribes as follows:
- The Bois Forte Band
- The Fond du Lac Band
- The Grand Portage Band
- The Lower Sioux Indian Community
- The Leech Lake Band
- The Mille Lacs Band
- The Prairie Island Indian Community
- The Red Lake Nation
- The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
- The Upper Sioux Community
- The White Earth Band
According to the bills, each tribe would pay an annual licensing fee of $2,125. However, partnering platform providers would need to pay an upfront application fee of $6,000 followed by a fee of $38,250 for a renewable three year license.
Tribes can partner with one online sports betting provider.
The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) gave their support to the bills through an open letter that stated:
“Were your bill to become law, MIGA Tribes believe the resulting mobile and retail markets operated by Minnesota’s Tribal Nations would not only support Tribes, but would also provide a well-regulated and accessible market for the state’s sports bettors and a competitive market that is important to our state’s professional sports teams and marketing partners.”
Professional teams in Minnesota also gave their support for the legislation saying:
“As you know, the Tribes and Teams have worked together for many months to find alignment on a bill that will create a vibrant market while providing for consumer protections. We greatly value our tribal partnerships, our opportunity to work with MIGA, and greatly respect Minnesota’s tribal nations.”
The introduction of the bills comes shortly after Senator Jeremy Miller announced that he would introduce a bill that would allow sports betting through the state’s tribes and at Minnesota’s two racing tracks. However, the bill has yet to receive the backing of sporting leagues.
Image credit: Amy Meredith / CC BY-ND 2.0
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.