• About Us / Contact
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Tribes Want Monopolies, But Not Mobile. How Come?

Jill R. Dorson by Jill R. Dorson
February 19, 2019
in Regulation
minnesota sports betting mystic lake

Mystic Lake Casino on MInnesota's Prior Lake.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Numerous Native American tribes across the country believe they have an exclusive right to offer sports betting now that the federal ban on sports wagering fell via the Supreme Court last May. In many cases, that desire for exclusivity is slowing the process of legalizing sports betting. Given the massive payments some tribes pay states according to to their tribal-state compacts, and concern for losing those contributions, the tribes have lawmakers’ ears. And in at least three states, lawmakers have filed bills that would give local tribes a monopoly on sports betting.

The desire for a monopoly is obvious. Becoming the only game in town forces anyone who wants to legally bet on sports visit to a tribal casino, or use a tribe’s app. While tribes in Minnesota and other states want exclusivity, most don’t want mobile sports betting, even if the mobile apps are tied to tribal casinos. Yet given what New Jersey‘s ever-increasing mobile sports betting revenue figures have proven, at least in the short term, mobile is where the real money is at in sports betting, so it seems curious that Minnesota tribes are so adamantly opposed. The concern boils down to foot traffic worries.

“Our major concern is the mobile gambling,” said John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gambling Association. “We’ve been fighting that forever. Why would you get up on a 20-below-zero-day and come out to the casino when you could just sit at home. We’re not opposed in any way to sports betting as an activity, but we are concerned about what (mobile) leads to.”

MN tribes: Mobile will damage casinos

It appears that Minnesota tribes believe that mobile gaming of any kind will damage physical casinos. In many cases, in Minnesota and across the country, casinos are the very lifeblood of a reservation, a meeting place, a provider of jobs, a source of community pride. Minnesota’s tribes believe that mobile gaming could open a Pandora’s box they’d rather keep a tight lid on.

“It’s not specifically the money today, it would be kind of an amenity, but we don’t think it’s a huge amenity,” McCarthy said. “The state of Minnesota, it’s not Chicago, and it’s not New York and it’s not LA, but if it were to pass …. We’ve seen how it works, the first thing that starts to go is the live racing (at racinos), then they go back to the legislature, and say, we’re not quite making it, we really need some machines, and then other groups come in and say, well, you’re bailing them out, I’m a farmer, so why don’t you bail me out?”

minnesota tribal sports betting
Rep. Pat Garofolo (center)

But this view is not universal, highlighting the divergent views among tribes nationwide. At a hearing concerning gaming in Connecticut in 2018, one of the two powerful tribes, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which runs Foxwoods Resorts Casino, expressed support for mobile sports betting and iGaming.

“As we see it, the strongest opportunity for the state is in legalizing statewide iGaming, another activity that is currently operating for Connecticut residents in the black market today,” the tribe wrote in a statement. Of course, the representative for Foxwoods wrote, “[F]or the record that I know the tribes believe sports gambling, daily fantasy sports betting, and iGaming fall under the exclusivity agreement.”

[Also See: Tribal Gaming Interests Will Have Major Influence On U.S. Sports Betting]

Next steps in Minnesota

This week, Minnesota Representative Pat Garofalo (R-District 58B) will become the third lawmaker to offer up a sports betting bill with tribal exclusivity. He says he consulted with tribal interests before drafting his bill, though McCarthy said those conversations didn’t happen through his organization. Garofalo outlined the details of his bill — on-site sports betting at tribal locations only, no state-wide mobile — at a press conference late last week. He’s also suggesting a unique tax structure that he believes will benefit the state. The bill calls for a 0.5 percent on total betting handle, rather than revenue, which is the norm in states to have legalized and launched.

But separate from the details, Garofalo’s bill placates Minnesota’s Indian gaming interests. In a state that only has tribal gaming, and in which the state would benefit through a tax, he’s merely trying to create a new revenue stream and open the door to sports betting.

“I’ve got to be honest,” Garofalo said. “My goal is to get the bill passed, so I made the concession (of taking mobile off the table). All the controversy has been removed from this bill, so it really will just be a matter of public opinion.”

But the tribes only want it on their own terms. Members of the Minnesota Indian Gambling Association in January sent a letter to state lawmakers saying they “oppose the expansion of off-reservation gambling, including the legalization of sports betting.”

This letter from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association opposing the legalization of sports betting means that legislation is dead this session (and likely longer). Frustrating. pic.twitter.com/Go2tQ1Z3rg

— John Kriesel (@johnkriesel) January 14, 2019

Because of these beliefs, Minnesota’s tribes are taking a hard line against sports betting. The letter leaves little room for negotiation, and McCarthy said that as long as mobile is on the table, the tribes are unlikely to budge. The Minnesota Indian Gambling Association is essentially a trade association, with voluntary participation, and should one member of the group decide that sports betting is in its best interests, it would not be bound by the association to not offer it.

Bills pit tribes against commercial gaming interests

It’s likely that public opinion in Minnesota will mirror Washington, where during a sports betting hearing for another tribal-only bill, lawmakers and the public had major concerns about limiting sports betting to tribal interests. The key question — is it fair to exclude restaurants, bars, card rooms, horse-racing venues, OTBs or other commercial entities from offering sports betting?

“If we’re left behind and not allowed to add our toolbox as tribes are trying to do here, you won’t fatally kill us right away, but you’ll wound us so badly, that we’re going to die and go away pretty soon,” Pat LePley, president of Washington Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association testified.

His words crystalized a growing sentiment across the country. And tribes around the country are not naive to the fact that asking for exclusivity will render some bills DOA. But many tribes are in no rush with sports betting — generally a low margin and volatile source of revenue.

“We don’t think (Garofalo’s bill is) going to fly at the legislature because of exclusivity,” Minnesota’s McCarthy said. “Bar owners and other restaurant owners are going to have a fit.”

Though Indian tribes do have the exclusive right to gaming in some states, including Washington, Minnesota and Connecticut, sports betting is not explicitly addressed in existing tribal compacts, although the argument goes that sports betting is encompassed in a certain class of gaming that is permitted.

Tribal-friendly sports betting bills will be test cases

Minnesota, along with Washington and Arizona, will be test cases of just how strong the Indian gaming lobbies are in various states. In Washington last week, Representative Eric Pettigrew (D-District 37), who sponsored HB 1975 which would legalize sports betting only at Indian-0wned venues, declined to discuss adding Emerald Downs, a commercial horse track, to the bill, saying that by legalizing gaming on tribal lands, state residents have already shown that they don’t want sports betting on every corner, but only in designated locations.

Live stream for Washington State #sportsbetting hearing at noon ESThttps://t.co/1L0yK3Evl9

— Brian Pempus (@brianpempus) February 14, 2019

Tribal representatives support the bill, which also does not include mobile sports betting, arguing that exclusivity provides economic opportunity to the tribe in general, as well as providing jobs for its members.

Jerry Allen, a tribal elder of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in Washington, told Sports Handle that it’s delicate balance between offering mobile and keeping the bricks-and-mortar casinos vibrant.

“We want the traffic is generates,” he said. “The Nevada and New Jersey sports betting model still works, but at some time you have to drive people into your brick and mortars. Making sports betting too easy by putting it in convenience stores and the like, as Oregon wants to do, and put into the same kiosks with their daily keno game creates a different problem.

“But it makes no sense to offer up a bill that doesn’t make sports betting accessible to everyone through mobile betting. It’s clear the public doesn’t want to get out of their own living rooms every time they make a bet.”

Arizona was the first state in which a tribal-only sports betting bill was filed, when HB 1158 was introduced last month. That bill allows for sports betting at tribal locations, including at on-reservation casinos, and via kiosks locations that have a bar, beer and wine, or private club license. The bill has yet to have a hearing, though lawmakers have been discussing it. It appears that Arizona could not legalize commercial sports betting without breaking its current tribal compacts.

Share1TweetShare
Jill R. Dorson

Jill R. Dorson

Jill has covered everything from steeplechase to the NFL and then some during a more than 30-year career in sports journalism. The highlight of her career was covering Oakland Raiders during the Charles Woodson/Jon Gruden era, including the infamous “Snow Bowl” and the Raiders’ 2003 trip to Super Bowl XXXVII. Her specialty these days is covering sports betting legislation across the country. You can reach Jill at jill@bettercollective.com

Related Posts

Get a Grip
Sports

Get A Grip — The Week In Sports Betting: New Books Coming To CA, SD, WA; LIV Still In The News

June 17, 2022
buffalo-lake-maine
Legislation

First Sports Bets In Maine Still More Than A Year Away

May 10, 2022
Load More

Top Sportsbooks In Your State

1
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
SugarHouse Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
bet365 Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
2
FOX Bet Sportsbook
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
SuperBook Sports
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
BetRivers Sportsbook
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs ApplyOnly 1x Wager Applies
1
SI Sportsbook
Review / 4.1
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
FanDuel Sportsbook
Review / 4.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Caesars Sportsbook
Review / 4.4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
WynnBET Sportsbook
Review / 4
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
Betfred Sportsbook
Review / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
BetRivers Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.3
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
BetMGM Sportsbook Ontario
Review / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
NorthStar Bets Sportsbook
Review / 4.6
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Bet99 Sportsbook
Review / 4.7
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
Sports Interaction Ontario
Review / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
3
PowerPlay Sportsbook
Rating / 3.8
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
1
Monkey Knife Fight
Rating / 4.5
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
2
PrizePicks
Rating / 4.2
BET NOW
T&Cs Apply21+. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.

State Sports Betting Guides

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
June 27, 2022

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
March 21, 2021

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
March 18, 2022

Most Read Stories

mattress mack betting charade

Will Everyone Please Stop Calling ‘Mattress Mack’ A Sports Bettor?

April 27, 2022
Photo: Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY

Dave Portnoy Says, ‘F**k That Guy,’ To Which Bettor And Gambling Twitter Seriously Object

May 16, 2022
map-missouri

Missouri Sports Betting Bill Draws Debate, Backlash In Senate

May 5, 2022
golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco

California Tribes Won’t Try For Mobile Proposal On 2022 Ballot

May 10, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona Sports Betting
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Ohio Sports Betting
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia Sports Betting
    • Massachusetts Sports Betting
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
    • Common Beginner Mistakes
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Partnership Tracker
  • News

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location