Senators introduce bill to legalize sports betting in Minnesota

A group of state senators unveiled a plan Wednesday to legalize sports betting in Minnesota.

Four Republican senators — Roger Chamberlain (Lino Lakes), Julia Coleman (Waconia), Karin Housley (Stillwater) and Mark Koran (Chisago) — as well as one DFL senator — Karla Bigham, of Cottage Grove — announced their plan Wednesday morning.

Their proposal would legalize sports betting at tribal casinos and racetracks, which would pay licensing fees for in-person gaming. The plan would also allow for tribal nations to issue sub-licenses to vendors for online gaming, which would be taxed by the state.

“It’s time to move Minnesota forward. We are an island in the Midwest and not the tropical kind,” Chamberlain said. “This proposal is good for tribes, it’s good for tracks, and most importantly, it gives Minnesotans gaming options at brick & mortar locations and online vendors. It respects the Tribal Nations and provides a revenue stream to the state. There is no reason we shouldn’t start with this proposal and see it through to the end,” he added.

RELATED: Momentum building for sports betting in Minnesota

Past efforts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota have failed but momentum seems to be building for potential legalization this year. The biggest step is approval from the state’s tribal nations, and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association said late in 2021 that it’s willing to consider the idea if the right agreement can be struck.

Under the senators’ proposal, sports betting could become legal in the fall of 2023. The measure is expected to have bipartisan support in the Legislature.