A Swing and a Miss for Minnesota Sports Betting in 2024

The legalization of sports betting in Minnesota was on the brink this year, but the latest legislative session ended without a deal on its proposed launch. As a result, residents will still be without legal access to the top sports betting sites.

Legal sports betting proponents had gained momentum in the state leading up to the end of the 2024 legislative session on Sunday night. The state’s tribes, tracks, charities, and sports teams were united in their support for progress on the issue.

Many politicians expressed their support for a comprehensive Minnesota sports betting platform in 2024, with bills passing in both the House and Senate before being derailed by amendments and time constraints.

The momentum for legal sports betting discussions in Minnesota will resume in 2025 when the next session of the North Star State legislature convenes.

Rep. Zack Stephenson, the author of the proposed sports betting legalization bill, announced on social media Sunday night that the bill will fall short this year. Despite this setback, he highlighted the progress made in reaching a deal that satisfied all major stakeholders, including tribes, tracks, and charities. Stephenson believes this progress can serve as a solid foundation for future discussions on the bill.

What was on the line

Minnesota made significant progress towards legalizing sports betting in 2024, following in the footsteps of other states that have successfully implemented and benefitted from thriving wagering industries.

Rep. Stevenson, the author of HB 5724, saw his bill extensively debated in both legislative chambers but ultimately did not secure the required vote to advance the plan this year.

The proposal involved granting the 11 native tribes in the North Star State complete authority over online and retail sports betting. Individuals aged 21 and above would have been allowed to register and wager with one of the state’s providers, with a 20% tax imposed on the platform.

The end of sports betting in Minnesota will prevent fans from wagering on their favorite Timberwolves in the NBA Western Conference Final and will limit opportunities to bet on the 2024-2025 NFL season.

More about the momentum

The push for legal sports betting in Minnesota is fueled by stakeholders in the industry coming together to reach agreement on the framework for the potential platform, including how revenue and taxes would be managed post-legalization.

For the first time ever, Minnesota tribes, horse tracks, professional sports teams, and charities all reached an agreement in the North Star State.

Lawmakers showed some initial movement but ultimately failed to fulfill their responsibilities. The state’s House of Representatives and Senate did not vote on a plan.

Both chambers voted on a bill to ban historical horse racing (HHR) on the final day of the legislative session, but they did not make any further progress.

Where Minnesota goes from here

In 2024, during the election year, there is a possibility that lawmakers who were unsuccessful in passing sports betting legislation in the House may be voted out in both the House and Senate come November.

In 2026, there will be a competition for the Minnesota Senate seats.

It is uncertain whether new individuals will support or oppose sports betting, but there is optimism that the progress towards legalized sports betting will persist and gain momentum when the legislature reconvenes in 2025.