The recent arrest of Senator Nicole Mitchell has thrown the fate of legalized sports betting, a measure passed by the Minnesota Legislature, into uncertainty. Following her arrest, Senator Mitchell has been suspended from her committee and caucus duties, as announced by Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy.
The arrest has left the Minnesota Senate evenly split, with 33 Democrats and 33 Republicans. With Democrats holding the majority, securing Republican support will now be necessary to advance the betting legislation, potentially jeopardizing its future.
Democratic Representative Zach Stevenson, a longstanding advocate for legalizing betting, sees an opportunity amidst the turmoil. With a bill already in place, Stevenson believes passage may be smoother. Additionally, he is working on a separate bill aimed at banning historical horse racing machines, a type of slot machine, further highlighting the evolving landscape of gambling legislation in Minnesota.
