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Legislators in Minnesota are getting ready to consider legalizing sports betting in early 2025; talks will begin prior to the start of the legislative session on January 14. In order to address issues like gambling addiction, Senator John Marty has invited specialists to a pre-session informational hearing on internet betting.
Senator Matt Klein, who authored the bill to legalize sports betting, emphasized the safeguards included in his proposal. “There are people, Democrats, who are really concerned about gambling addiction, and family bankruptcy and devastation,” Klein told KFGO. “I’ve put some real safeguards in the bill to try and answer those concerns. If we pass the bill as I’ve introduced it, it will be the safest sports wagering bill in the nation.”
Klein intends to reintroduce the bill on the first day of the session, highlighting its necessity due to the prevalence of illegal sports betting. “The argument I always make is that people are already doing it in illegal and unregulated markets, usually offshore markets,” he noted. “If we want a responsible and safe and taxable sports wagering process in Minnesota, we need to pass a bill.”
Despite broad momentum for sports betting across the U.S. since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, Minnesota faces unique challenges. Opposition comes from both political parties and advocacy groups like the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition, which distributed a letter opposing expanded gambling in late 2024.
The bill discussed in 2024 proposed granting exclusive control of sports betting to Minnesota’s casino tribes. Smaller tribes would receive assistance to ensure they benefit from the new market. In return, the tribes would contribute part of the state revenue to horse tracks and charitable gambling initiatives.
The proposed 22% state tax on net winnings would apply solely to mobile betting, not wagers placed at tribal casinos. As most sports betting in the U.S. occurs via mobile platforms, this approach reflects current industry trends.