Sports-betting bills split committee; one stalled 6-6, another advances with consumer protections
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Summary
Two competing sports-betting bills were considered by the Senate State and Local Government Committee: Senate File 757 failed on a 6–6 vote, while Senate File 978, which sponsors described as including stronger consumer protections, passed unanimously and was laid on the table for further action.
The Senate State and Local Government Committee considered competing sports-betting proposals this week and split its actions: one bill failed on a tie vote while another advanced with unanimous committee approval.
Senate File 757, sponsored by Sen. Matt Klein and supported by a coalition including tribes, Canterbury Park, allied charities and Minnesota professional sports teams, received six votes in favor and six opposed, and therefore did not pass the committee. Sen. Klein said the committee “missed an opportunity to advance legislation that Minnesotans have been demanding for years.”
Separately, Sen. John Marty presented Senate File 978, which he said would include stronger consumer protections. The committee unanimously passed SF 978 and laid it on the table, meaning it will remain in the State and Local Government Committee for now.
Committee members said SF 757 raised many questions and was not ready to move forward, while SF 978 was advanced with an emphasis on tighter regulation to address consumer concerns if sports wagering were legalized.