Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Minnesota Senator To Publicly Discuss Dangers of Sports Betting

Robert Linnehan

By Robert Linnehan in Sports Betting News

Published:


NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder
Dec 31, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
  • A longtime Minnesota opponent of sports betting will hold a public hearing on the dangers of betting
  • Sen. John Marty (DFL-40) has scheduled an informational hearing on economic, health, and social harms of online sports betting for next week
  • Marty is planning on re-filing another sports betting bill this year that dedicates majority of tax revenue to problem gaming funds

The 2025 Minnesota legislative session is just weeks away but one Senator isn’t waiting to have his thoughts on online sports betting be heard.

Sen. John Marty (DFL-40) has scheduled an informational hearing with the Senate Finance Committee for Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. to discuss the economic, health, and social harms resulting from online sports betting.

Marty has been a longtime opponent of Minnesota sports betting, citing the harm it can impose on state residents with problem gaming habits.

More Funding for Problem Gaming

Marty’s hearing will take place less than a week from the official start of Minnesota’s legislative session on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Several Minnesota lawmakers have already expressed interest in continuing the state’s sports betting discussion after it came close to being approved in 2024.

Marty took a different strategy against sports betting during the 2024 session, deciding to introduce his own sports betting bill rather than opposing the measure outright. He introduced bill SF 5330 to the Senate to provide Minnesota tribes with sports betting exclusivity, but earmarking the vast majority of sports betting revenue to combat problem gaming in the state.

His bill instituted a 40% sports betting tax on gross revenue and dedicated 75% of tax revenues to problem gaming funds. Marty’s legislation distributed sports betting tax revenues as follows:

  • 50% to the commission of human services. Half of the revenue will fund compulsive gambling treatment programs and half will be for a grant to the state affiliate recognized by the National Council of Problem Gambling to be used to increase public awareness of problem gambling, provide education and training
  • 25% to the commission of education for grants for addiction prevention and mental health services in public and charter schools
  • 25% to the general fund

Marty has reported he will most likely be refiling another sports betting bill this legislative session. Last year, he repeatedly mentioned that he does not believe sports betting will be a large revenue driver in the state and will only add taxpayer costs for the treatment of gaming addiction.

MN Senator sports betting hearing

Sports Betting Will Be Hot Topic

The North Star State came as close as it ever has in 2024 to passing a bill to legalize online and retail sports betting, with state tribes, racetracks, and charities coming to a deal for the first time in history as to the best way to distribute tax revenues amongst the three parties. The hope for many Minnesota lawmakers is discussions will continue to build during the 2025 session and a bill will finally be able to cross the finish line.

A deal between the tribes, tracks, and charities still seems to be in place as legislators prepare for the Jan. 14, 2025 start date. Peter Callaghan, a staff writer for the Minnesota Postreported in November that Taro Ito, President and CEO of Running Aces, one of the largest horse tracks in Minnesota, sent a letter to the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association pledging to work through any differences to get a sports betting deal on the table for state legislators

Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-26) has already pledged on social media to continue to work towards a sports betting deal. Miller has introduced several pieces of sports betting legislator, including last year’s “Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0” bill. The bill called for retail and online sports betting licensing opportunities to Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, but also allowed state racetracks and/or professional sports stadiums to operate retail sports betting on their premises.

It would have set the state’s tax rate at 15% on sports betting revenue and provided for charitable gaming tax relief for local charities.

Miller took to social media to pledge that he’ll be working towards passing a bill this year.

“There’s one thing that’s certain, it is time to pass a sports betting bill here in Minnesota. Of course the primary focus for the 2025 legislative session will be the budget, but I remain committed to working together to get a sports betting bill passed here in Minnesota as quickly as possible. We made tremendous progress last year, we almost got there, but we didn’t quite get across the finish line,” he said.

Robert Linnehan
Robert Linnehan

Regulatory Writer and Editor

Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.

Gambling

Recommended Reading


sports betting dime logo

Unfiltered sports betting coverage every fan needs — squeezed into your inbox before dinner.

Sign Up Now!

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, to receive updates and offers and confirm you are 21+ and have never self excluded from betting or gambling. Unsubscribe at any time. Please gamble responsibly. Need help? 1-800-GAMBLER