The expression "down to the wire" comes from horse racing, where it was long the practice to extend a wire throughout and above the track at the goal.

The stating is likewise a timely and apt descriptor of an expense authorized Friday by the House Ways and Means Committee that would legalize sports wagering in the state while forbiding some gambling devices at horse racing tracks, all with simply six legislative - and 10 calendar - days remaining in the session.

By a voice vote, the committee adopted a delete-all change to put the language of HF2000 (sports wagering) into the underlying language of HF5274 (horse track policies). A split-voice vote sent out the combined plan to your house Floor.Rep. Zack Stephenson

Legalizing sports betting

Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) sponsors both costs and states legalizing sports betting is the best way to combat the growing illicit black market that already exists in the state.

"It is illegal to engage in sports wagering in Minnesota today, and it occurs every day in severe amounts. We will be transitioning people from the black market into a legitimate market."

By doing so, Stephenson said, the state would collect taxes on all sports wagers, which would both benefit the state's bottom line and be used to run programs to deal with problem gamblers.

The bill would grant sports betting licenses to the 11 tribal countries in Minnesota and allow those ages 21 and older to bet on a variety of athletic events, consisting of esports. Wagers would be enabled at brick-and-mortar places on tribal lands or using mobile apps licensed to tribal entities.

Wagers could not be put on horse racing or youth sports however would be enabled on certain kinds of dream contests.

A tax would be troubled sports wagering net income equivalent to 20% of wagers placed online through a site or mobile application. Bets put 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 said the costs would restrict betting on horse races since doing otherwise would threaten the economic viability of Minnesota's 2 horse racing tracks, which are already having a hard time due to the diminishing bags they have the ability to pay.

Portions of the tax income gathered would be utilized to money bag supplements of $625,000 yearly at the tracks: 72% would go to Canterbury Park and 28% to Running Aces.

Despite steps required to secure horse racing in the state, including the funds to supplement bags, Rep. Brian Pfarr (R-Le Sueur) stated legislating sports wagering would deal a huge blow to both tracks. "That's not enough, because if those business are gone, it doesn't matter."

Appropriations

The costs would appropriate $8.32 million in financial year 2025 to the Department of Public Safety to perform responsibilities needed to establish and regulate mobile sports betting and dream contests. Future appropriations would be $5.49 million in 2026 and $5.47 million annually beginning in 2027.

[MORE: View fiscal analysis]

Regulating gaming at horse racing tracks

The costs would specify that "historic horse racing" makers are gambling devices and for that reason not allowed at Canterbury Park and Running Aces.

Stephenson said these devices are "basically fruit machine" due to the fact that of the random nature of the payouts. By law, slots can only be situated on tribal lands.

Historical horse racing is an electronic betting product that enables players to wager on random replays of formerly run races, utilizing terminals that generally resemble slots. Identifying information such as the area and date of the race, and the names of the horses and jockeys, is not revealed.