Riding on the wave of growing interest in both retail and especially mobile-based sports betting, such ventures have seen a surge in expansion across the US. A phenomenon that wouldn’t have come into being if not for the 2018 decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn PASPA. Currently, over 30 states across the US facilitate sports betting, with some initializing the legalization of the activity and on the brink of commencing operation. However, a handful of states remain distant from the legalization of sports betting as continued efforts to legalize the activity persist. This holds particularly true for the state of Minnesota.
Over a significant number of years, legislation has seen a wave of enthusiasm towards the legalization of sports betting. Apart from boosting state tax revenue, bringing sports betting under the umbrella of legalization could uplift local teams and curb the chunk of the black market. However, one lingering concern has acted as a barrier to the lift-off of legalization. This concern pertains to the involvement of Native American Tribes in the operations.
In contrast, states where Tribes have an operational footing typically involve signed gambling compacts, granting them privileges, or even exclusive rights. However, the camp of supporters for betting advocacy in Minnesota struggle to find a meeting point to trigger further progress towards legalization. A recent report indicates that it may be too late for sports betting propositions to gain momentum, at least for this season.
Melissa Hortman, the current House Speaker of Minnesota, conveyed that it is nearly impossible for legislators to rally for the legalization of sports betting this season, according to the Pioneer Press. Voicing her thoughts on Thursday, she stated: “I think we are probably out of time.” Hortman affirmed that it wouldn’t be feasible to pull people away from the floor to chart the course for the necessary committees.
Bipartisan Backing Vital
A key factor that could result in lawmakers postponing the legalization of sports wagering is the upcoming sanction of a biennial budget. State legislators are pressed until May 22 to give the green light to several significant bills and finalize a budget which exceeds $70 billion. This procedure could contribute to delaying the implementation of sports betting legislation.
An additional hurdle in the path towards legalization is the dire need for cross-party backing. Although this may not necessarily apply to the House and a proposal might make its way past that, bipartisan endorsement will undeniably be needed for the Senate to follow suit. However, while support for the legalization of sports betting has been expressed by a few Democrats and Republicans alike, there is yet to be an agreement on a proposal by the majority.
