Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to legalize and regulate sports betting and fantasy contests in Minnesota. It seeks to establish a framework for issuing licenses, set rules around taxation, and manage the participation and conduct of sports betting across the state.

Main Provisions

• Authorization and Licensing: The bill introduces lawful sports betting, including fantasy contests, and establishes licenses for mobile sports betting operators, platform providers, and suppliers. It mandates that licenses be held by entities controlled by Indian Tribes that operate Class III gaming.

• Regulatory Framework: The commissioner of the relevant state authority is tasked with regulating sports betting to ensure it's conducted lawfully, transparently, and safely. This includes defining rules for wager types, advertising restrictions, and measures against problem gambling.

• Taxation and Revenue: Guidelines for taxing sports betting activities are laid out, with revenue contributing to state funds and distributed evenly among eligible Indian Tribes that comply with market share limitations.

• Prohibitions: The bill prohibits local governments from imposing additional licenses or taxes on sports betting entities. There are strict guidelines to prevent individuals under 21 from participating in sports betting, both in placing bets and appearing in advertising.

• Player Protections: Includes measures for responsible gaming, such as self-imposed betting limits, exclusion lists for those at risk, and helplines for problem gamblers.

• Integrity and Security: Sets up systems for monitoring and maintaining the integrity of betting activities and maintaining secure data handling practices.

• Annual Reporting and Studies: Mandates regular reporting on the sports betting industry's financial status and compliance. It also commissions studies to understand the effects of sports betting on problem gambling and youth.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Legalization: This bill represents a significant legal shift by formally recognizing and regulating sports betting in Minnesota.
• Tribal Engagement: The bill respects existing Tribal-state compacts while introducing new gaming opportunities, restricted to Tribal entities only.
• Data Privacy: The bill creates new data privacy protections for individual bettors, classifying their information as private, nonpublic data.

Relevant Terms

• Sports betting
• Fantasy sports contest
• Indian Tribes
• Mobile sports betting operator
• Problem gambling
• Tribal-state compact
• Sports betting supplier
• Licensing and regulation
• Compulsive gambling prevention
• Integrity monitoring