Minnesota mulls legalising tribal sports betting

Minnesota is planning to formulate a new bill for legalising sports betting at tribal casinos in the state.

The new bill, named the new Safe and Regulated Sports Gambling Act of 2019, was introduced by Representative Pat Garofalo. It proposes plans to form the Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission, an authority that will have the powers to regulate the state’s sports betting market.

The bill would allow in-person sports wagering at casinos runs by recognised tribes in Minnesota, while consumers would also be able to place bets via mobile and other electronic devices on-site. The bill stipulates that any mobile app to block access to consumers if they are more than 20ft away from a tribal property.

Consumers can bet on all sports and events authorised by the Commission, including US collegiate sports, but wagering on virtual events would not be permitted.

According to the proposal, the new commission will sanction two types of licenses: a sports pool licence and a mobile and electronic sports pool licence, with casinos permitted to apply for both types of licences. The bill does not set out the cost for either licence.

The bill would also enable casinos to enter into agreements with third parties to manage or operate an on-site sports pool, a mobile and electronic sports pool, or both.