Lawmakers in Minnesota have introduced a new bill that could pave the way for legal mobile sports betting in the state. The proposal, introduced in the Minnesota Senate, would allow residents to place wagers online through licensed sportsbook apps if the legislation ultimately becomes law.
Minnesota remains one of the few states in the U.S. without regulated sports betting, but the latest proposal shows that momentum for legalization is continuing to grow.
Mobile Betting at the Center of the Plan
The bill focuses primarily on statewide mobile sports betting, reflecting how the majority of wagering now takes place across the United States. Rather than building a large retail sportsbook network, the proposal prioritizes mobile platforms that allow users to bet from anywhere within state borders.
Under the proposal, up to 11 mobile sportsbook licenses could be issued. These licenses would be tied to Minnesota’s federally recognized tribal gaming operators, giving tribes a central role in the potential sports betting market.
Players would need to be at least 21 years old and physically located in Minnesota when placing bets.
Proposed Tax Structure
The legislation also outlines how the state would tax sports betting revenue. Operators would face a 22% tax on net gaming revenue, which is calculated after winnings are paid out to bettors.
Revenue generated through the market would be distributed across several sectors connected to the state’s gaming ecosystem, including:
- Tribal governments
- Charitable gambling organizations
- Horse racing interests
- Responsible gambling initiatives
Supporters say the revenue structure attempts to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders that have been involved in previous sports betting debates.
Responsible Gambling Measures Included
Like most modern sports betting bills in the U.S., the proposal includes consumer protection and responsible gambling measures.
Operators would be required to implement identity verification systems and age checks, while also providing tools that allow users to set deposit limits or self-exclude from betting platforms.
The legislation also considers restrictions on certain marketing practices and betting markets in order to limit potential harm from problem gambling.
Legalization Still Faces Political Hurdles
Minnesota lawmakers have attempted to legalize sports betting several times over the past few years, but negotiations between tribes, racing interests, and other stakeholders have repeatedly stalled progress.
The new Senate proposal represents another attempt to find a compromise that could finally move legalization forward.
However, even if the bill gains support in the legislature, it will still need to pass multiple committees and receive approval from both chambers before reaching the governor’s desk.
Earliest Launch Could Still Be Years Away
Even if the bill is passed this year, a regulated sports betting market would not launch immediately. Licensing, regulatory frameworks, and partnerships between operators and tribal casinos would likely take significant time to develop.
As a result, analysts believe that Minnesota sportsbooks would probably not go live before 2027.
Still, the introduction of a new bill signals that the state may once again be moving closer to joining the rapidly expanding U.S. sports betting market.
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