State lawmakers in Minnesota are preparing to consider a new bill that could lead to the legalisation of sports betting at tribal casino in the US state.
Bill SF1984 would authorize in-person sports betting at casinos which are run by recognized tribes or at racetracks in Minnesota, while consumers would also be able to place bets via mobile and other electronic devices online.
The bill, sponsored by a cross-party group of senators, will also allows casinos to sign arrangements with third-party platforms alongside running an on-site sports pool.
If passed, the legislation would allow any person over the age of 18 to be able to place legal wagers. In addition, consumers would also be able to place bets on professional and collegiate sporting events. Wagering on virtual events, however, would not be permitted across Minnesota.
The proposed legislation, if approved, will mean that operators will face a 6.75 per cent tax on sports wagering net revenue. The bill did not state how much the sports betting licences would cost under the new regulations.
The Minnesota senate tax committee is set for debate at a hearing on March 7 and, if the bill is passed into law, it would become effective from 1 September 2020.
In February, Representative Pat Garofalo first put forward a bill to legalise sports betting at tribal casinos in the state, with aims to “ensure that Minnesotans have access to safe, legal, and transparent sports gambling operations in the state.”
The Safe and Regulated Sports Gambling Act of 2019 plans to establish the ‘Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission’ which would be tasked with developing the regulations for the activity of both in-person and remote sports betting.
Garofalo added: “For too long, Minnesotans wanting to place bets on sporting events have had to rely on an unregulated process.
“This legislation brings the sports gambling industry out of the shadows and ensures that consumers have the proper protections in place that allow for a fair and transparent experience.”