In 2018, the PASPA was overturned, allowing states to open a legal sports betting market. Since then, 38 states, including Washington D.C., have offered some form of legal sports wagering to residents. This past year was the first time since 2018 that a new state did not open a market. States like Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Minnesota have worked for years to make this happen.
Over time, Minnesota has tried to get a legal sports betting market. State lawmakers had a bill in 2024 that had support. It had interest from horse racing tracks and charitable groups. Unfortunately, they acted too late and the bill was unable to pass. While there is support for the legalization of sports betting in Minnesota, residents still are weary of the negative effects it can have. Problem gambling is a serious issue that continues to grow in the United States.
What is the evidence against the legalization of sports betting?
With 38 states having a legal form of sports betting, problem gambling is a serious issue that is spreading. This is a “gambling addiction” or “gambling disorder” that can damage the individual and the ones they’re closest to. Historically, issues that have risen over the years from problem gambling are lower credit scores, increased bankruptcies, and more debt sent to collectors. On Wednesday, there was a Senate Finance Committee hearing.
UCLA professor Brett Hollenback outlines issues that could affect Minnesota if they legalize sports betting in 2025. Hollenback mentioned bankruptcies, car loan delinquencies, and other relevant data. Additionally, Hollenback is not the only voice in the state who is uninterested. Northwestern University’s Scott Baker has presented a similar picture to lawmakers about the effects of problem gambling.
Baker noted that sports bettors are likely to overdraw their accounts and have worse credit scores. These claims by Baker have been supported by other reliable studies. Scott Baker believes gambling on sports can lead to poor financial outcomes. Finally, Emily Arnesen and Kyu Matsuzawa from the University of Oregon noted that sports gambling could lead to more domestic violence. Since the legalization of sports betting in 2018, domestic violence has risen by 9%.
Senator Matt Klein is an advocate for legalizing sports betting in Minnesota
Senator Matt Klein has been a major advocate for the legalization of sports betting in the North Star State. Klein argued that if sports betting is done the right way, it can be beneficial to gamblers and the state as well. Over the years he’s had several draft laws, but none have gained any traction. In 2025, Matt Kelin hopes his bill will make the final cut and sports betting will be legalized in Minnesota. His bill will focus on creating a problem gambling helpline in the state as well as a text message system to regulate gambling advertising.
Klein’s proposed bill will also prohibit collegiate prop bets from being wagered on. This is something NCAA President Charlie Baker has been trying to make a national law. Matt Klein has stated that illegal sports betting is already happening with offshore markets. It’s up to the state lawmakers to put an end to it and allow legal sports betting in Minnesota.