The expression "down to the wire" originates from horse racing, where it was long the practice to stretch a wire throughout and above the track at the finish line.
The saying is also a prompt and apt descriptor of a costs approved Friday by the House Ways and Means Committee that would legislate sports betting in the state while restricting some gaming devices at horse racing tracks, all with just 6 legislative - and 10 calendar - days remaining in the session.
By a voice vote, the committee adopted a delete-all modification to put the language of HF2000 (sports betting) into the underlying language of HF5274 (horse track policies). A split-voice vote sent out the combined bundle to your home Floor.Rep. Zack Stephenson
Legalizing sports betting
Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) sponsors both expenses and states legalizing sports betting is the finest way to combat the blossoming illegal black market that already exists in the state.
"It is illegal to participate in sports wagering in Minnesota today, and it takes place each and every single day in extreme quantities. We will be transitioning individuals from the black market into a genuine marketplace."
By doing so, Stephenson said, the state would gather taxes on all sports wagers, which would both benefit the state's bottom line and be utilized to run programs to deal with problem gamblers.
sports-betting-profits.com
The expense would approve sports wagering licenses to the 11 tribal nations in Minnesota and allow those ages 21 and older to wager on a range of athletic occasions, including esports. Wagers would be allowed at brick-and-mortar areas on tribal lands or using mobile apps licensed to tribal entities.
Wagers might not be put on horse racing or youth sports however would be allowed on specific type of dream contests.
A tax would be imposed on sports wagering net revenue equivalent to 20% of wagers placed online through a website or mobile application. Bets placed on tribal land would be exempt from the proposed tax.
[MORE: View the spreadsheet] House Ways and Means Committee - part 1 5/10/ 24
Stephenson stated the expense would forbid wagering on horse races due to the fact that doing otherwise would jeopardize the financial practicality of Minnesota's 2 horse racing tracks, which are currently struggling due to the shrinking purses they have the ability to pay.
Portions of the tax revenue gathered would be utilized to fund purse supplements of $625,000 yearly at the tracks: 72% would go to Canterbury Park and 28% to Running Aces.
Despite steps required to safeguard horse racing in the state, consisting of the funds to supplement purses, Rep. Brian Pfarr (R-Le Sueur) stated legalizing sports wagering would deal a huge blow to both tracks. "That's insufficient, because if those business are gone, it doesn't matter."
Appropriations
The bill would proper $8.32 million in 2025 to the Department of Public Safety to perform duties needed to establish and manage mobile sports betting and dream contests. Future appropriations would be $5.49 million in 2026 and $5.47 million annually beginning in fiscal year 2027.
[MORE: View financial analysis]
Regulating betting at horse racing tracks
sports-betting-news.com
The expense would specify that "historic horse racing" devices are gambling gadgets and therefore not allowed at Canterbury Park and Running Aces.
Stephenson stated these devices are "basically slot machines" due to the fact that of the random nature of the payments. By law, slots can just be positioned on tribal lands.
Historical horse racing is an electronic gambling product that enables players to bet on random replays of previously run races, utilizing terminals that normally look like slot makers. information such as the area and date of the race, and the names of the horses and jockeys, is not revealed.
1
Legalized Sports Betting Back on Track as Session Reaches home Stretch
Brain Andronicus edited this page 2025-06-28 17:18:48 +00:00