A bill, which goal is to relieve the financial difficulties faced by the horse racing tracks in Minnesota due to the coronavirus pandemic, has once again fuelled some debate over the state’s gambling expansion.
The latest controversy mirrors the one that surrounded a bill introduced in 2019, which was aimed at legalizing sports betting in Minnesota. That proposal, however, faced the opposition of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association that has long been among the most fierce critics of desired gambling expansion outside of state tribal reservations.
Originally, the bill was introduced by state Representative Brad Tabke. At the time, it was aimed at permitting local residents to bet on in-state races online through 2021. However, it was exactly the provision associated with the online and mobile betting that was left out of the bill’s version that got the approval of the Minnesota House Committee on May 6th following some calls for it to do so by the tribal gaming lobbyists.
At the time when the original bill was introduced, the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association explained that the horse racing bill was exactly the sort of gambling expansion it had been consistently opposing. For the time being, online gambling remains legal in out-of-state races.
Meanwhile, local track operators might have to hold races even at a time when Minnesota residents are not able to attend these races because of the social distancing measures aimed at preventing the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Minnesota Lawmakers Call the Gambling Expansion Bill the Best Compromise Despite Ongoing Controversy
According to state Representative Tabke, the new version of the proposed piece of legislation called House Bill 4597 that was approved by the House Commerce Committee will still be able to reduce the economic blow suffered by the racetracks across the state. In case the bill is turned into law, it would provide local racetrack operators to hold fewer racing days than they are required to as a condition to keep their operating licenses.
Apart from that, if the proposed piece of legislation is enacted, it would provide them with the temporary flexibility to redirect some funds toward capital projects. In addition, the gambling expansion would bring the state more money from advance deposit wagering programs.
Officials from the racetrack industry backed the proposed bill in the middle of the week but did expect to see some opposition to the piece of legislation in the short term. Several Minnesota lawmakers, including the author of the 2019 sports betting bill Pat Garofalo, called for the in-state online gambling provisions to be brought back to the bill. Still, according to the majority of state lawmakers, the bill represents the best possible compromise, especially at a time when the upcoming race season has already narrowed the time-frame.
