Minnesota Still Considering Legalizing Sports BettingIGT Pushing For Another Midwest Betting State |
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Another week, another sports betting plan. It seems another state considers getting on the wagering legalization bandwagon every other week and Minnesota may be the latest.
Media outlets reported recently that legislators are expected to take up the issue again in the spring. Gaming companies have already begun discussing the issue with casino properties in the state as well, including global gaming giant International Game Technology (IGT).
“It’s something we talk to operators in Minnesota about when we see them, either if somebody goes up to Minnesota to see what’s happening locally, or casino operators that travel to Las Vegas and we see them at industry conferences,” IGT President of sports betting told The Minneapolis Star-Tribune this week.
Lining Up Properties
Minnesota is surrounded by neighboring states that all allow sports betting, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Beyond simply discussing the issue with casinos, IGT also continues lining up partner casinos in the Midwest and could be a major player in Minnesota as well.
The company already has sports wagering kiosk operations in 30 states around the country as well as in Washington, D.C. A sports wagering plan failed in the state earlier this year. The proposal would have allowed for retail and online betting, but several key lawmakers opposed the effort.
Disagreements over which entities should be granted licenses in the state also hampered efforts. Supporters will now look to reintroduce a bill in the next session, which begins on Feb. 12.
Sports Betting Continues to Expand
The North Star State is just the latest to consider opening the betting windows (live and online). Maine officially launched last week, becoming the 37th state or U.S. territory to offer betting, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt® also recently announced plans to bring wagering to the Sooner State as well. Vermont has also legalized betting and awaits completion of the regulation process.
After months of legal wrangling, Florida’s Seminole tribe is also set to launch retail sports betting at the group’s Florida casinos in December. However, as a lawsuit plays out at the state supreme court, the tribe’s online betting efforts remain on hold at least for now.
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