MN sports betting bill clears first House committee

A bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota has cleared its first hurdle in a House committee. The Democratic proposal would put the state’s tribes in control of in-person betting at their casinos, as well as remote wagering via mobile devices. 

Representatives of Draft Kings and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association testified for the bill, but among those opposed was Leah Patton, executive director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition.

Patton said legal sports betting would “bring access to gambling into every home, school and work place in our state 24 hours a day. We believe this will create more problem gamblers and intensify the struggle of those already dealing with gambling addictions.”

Patton said she’s concerned about the effects of gambling on young people, but is pleased that the bill would restrict betting to those 21 and older.

One committee member said progress is being made on a deal that would include the state’s two horse tracks, which are not yet part of the bill.

The House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee passed the bill on a 10-to-6 vote on Monday. It now goes to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.