The proposed bill seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for sports betting and fantasy contests in Minnesota, allowing individuals aged 21 and older to participate in mobile sports betting through licensed entities. It introduces new definitions, including "authorized participant," "mobile sports betting," and "betting exchange," while prohibiting local restrictions on sports betting. The bill outlines civil and criminal penalties for violations, mandates taxation on sports betting revenue, and allocates funds for amateur sports grants and charitable gambling. It also delineates the powers of the commissioner responsible for regulating these activities, ensuring fair and transparent operations, and specifies that existing Tribal-state compacts will govern sports betting on Indian lands.

Additionally, the bill sets licensing requirements for mobile sports betting operators and platform providers, including background checks and limits on the number of licenses issued. It emphasizes responsible gambling practices, requiring operators to verify participant identities and maintain exclusion lists for individuals not eligible to wager. The legislation also includes provisions for advertising regulations, financial accountability, and integrity monitoring, while establishing penalties for fraud and bribery in sporting events. Furthermore, it allocates funds for various state departments to support the regulation of mobile sports betting and mandates studies on gambling prevalence and the motivations of young adult gamblers, ensuring a well-regulated environment that prioritizes public safety and responsible gambling practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 270B.07, 260B.007, 609.75, 609.755, 609.76, 297E.02, 349.12, 240.01, 245.98, 609.761