A bill that would legalize sports betting has advanced at the State Capitol.
If passed into law, the measure would allow wagering on professional and collegiate sports at the Minnesota's tribal casinos and two horse tracks.
"We all know people that have been out to Vegas, wagering on sports, wagering on their favorite teams," said Lino Lakes Republican Senator Roger Chamberlain, the bill's sponsor. "We're just trying to create a legal structure around that, to regulate it, legalize it, make it safe and accessible."
The bill calls for a 6.75% state tax on net gaming revenue.
The problem is, Minnesota's 11 Native American tribes oppose the bill. John McCarthy is executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association.
"The existence of mobile, online sports betting leads almost inevitably to the legalization of further Internet gaming, which represents an even more significant threat to all types of bricks and mortar facilities that currently offer gambling."
The bill passed the Senate Tax Committee by a vote of 5-2.
This isn't the first time a bill to legalize sports wagering has come before the state legislature.
