Minnesotans anxious for legal sports betting vented on social media yesterday after a Senate committee dropped popular in-game wagering from the proposal.
Lawmakers also found out revenue from sports betting would be cut in half if that provision passes.
The bills author, Senator Matt Klein (DFL- Mendota Heights) told the WCCO Morning News with Tom Hauser that they need to take another look at the bill.
"We had a big wakeup call yesterday, and I would say that drop in revenue is not just a problem with the House, but it's a problem with me as well," said Klein. "So, we're sort of going to have to revisit some of those provisions."
The House is working on its own version of sports gambling, which narrowly failed to pass during last year's legislative session.
Klein says originally they were concerned about gambling addiction but the pushback they received makes it clear it needs to be added again.
"This came from people with good intentions in the legislature, both parties, they thought they're trying to protect against problem gaming but I heard the outcries just like you did, from people who like to do this activity," Klein explained. "That this is not something that they approve of along with that big revenue drop. That's a problem too."