MN HF2197

Authorizes the operation of lottery gaming machines and conduct of other lottery and nonlottery casino games at gaming facilities operated by tribal entities with location contracts with the Minnesota State Lottery, limited to a maximum of two facilities statewide.

Establishes licensing and regulatory framework for gaming facilities under the Department of Public Safety Commissioner, including gaming facility licenses, gaming management licenses, employee licenses, and vendor licenses with comprehensive background investigation requirements.

Tribal entities must pay a 10 percent gaming transaction fee on adjusted gross revenue from nonlottery casino games, with adjusted rates (potentially lower percentages) if quarterly gaming machine revenue falls below $50 million or $25 million, deposited to the state general fund.

Gaming facility revenues support problem gambling treatment programs (0.5 percent of adjusted gross gaming machine revenue, capped at $2.5 million annually to the Commissioner of Human Services) and local communities (1 percent of adjusted gross revenue to host city and county).

Imposes a 30-year moratorium on gambling expansion; if the legislature authorizes other gaming machines within 30 years, the state must refund all license fees paid by tribal entities and waive gaming transaction fees for the remainder of the 30-year period or five years from authorization of other machines, whichever is longer.