When Iowa decided to authorize sports gambling this May did not know it will open a hive of yellowjackets. As the sports fans quickly pick up the activity, out of fear of losing revenue to its neighbor, Wisconsin is next in trying to put sportsbooks on solid ground in the state. Minnesota is watching fans gather to the frontier to place their bets and is starting to consider whether it needs to initiate the gambling activity. Iowa is responsible for turning not only Wisconsin but Minnesota into sports gambling believers.
A Minnesota Council committee tried to push the gambling issues earlier this year, highlighting that sportsbooks should be allowed at tribal gaming properties and two racetracks, but the tribes, through the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA), were not too passionate about the addition of the tracks and the bill didn’t get much attention. When an identical proposal was analyzed in the House, it wasn’t even given a second thought only served as wood in a fireplace. But still, Minnesota is reportedly going to legalize sports wagers in the state.
Roger Chamberlain was behind the first sports gambling effort for Minnesota wants to try again. Is not clear if the revived push is due to a true belief in the value of sports gambling to the state, or the fact that Iowa beat Minnesota to the punch.
In a recent interview with Minnesota Public Radio, the Senators said “Iowa is doing it, for God’s sake. That should be embarrassment enough for us to start doing it up here.”
Iowa is taking a lead for sports gambling in the county, and other states are going to have to try to keep up – something they are unwilling to do. Casinos in Iowa are all too honored of the fact that they pounced and aren’t afraid to show off. One, the Diamond Jo Casino, arranged a grand opening for its sportsbook last month and the ceremony saw involvement by John Randle – an NFL Hall of Fame inductee who just happened to be a star player for the Minnesota Vikings.
Pat Garofalo, Minnesota Representative, like Chamberlain, only sees the embarrassment in Iowa’s ability to stand in front.
In a tweet from last month, he exclaimed, “A sportsbook in Iowa is having former MINNESOTA VIKING John Randle make their 1st bet. Not someone from Iowa, someone from MINNESOTA. elected officials in Minnesota now understand the consequences or refusing to take legislative action on sports gambling?!”
Perhaps Minnesota legislators will get the message. Chamberlain and Garofalo are pushing for legalized sports gambling in their respective chambers and, in this case, the second time could be the charm.
