H.F. 769 Summary

• Creates a Minnesota Sports Wagering Commission with five governor-appointed members to regulate sports wagering, establish rules for conduct, licensing requirements, and ensure fair and lawful operations.

• Authorizes sports pools operated only by federally recognized Indian tribes located in Minnesota, permitting both on-site wagering in tribal casinos and mobile/electronic sports pools with geofencing technology that disables devices 20+ feet from tribal property.

• Prohibits wagers from persons under 18, sports pool operators and their officers, employees, coaches and participants in the sporting event, and bans wagers on non-authorized sports, virtual events, and events without posted lines.

• Imposes a 0.5% excise tax on all sports wagers in lieu of franchise tax and sales tax, with revenue exceeding $1 million annually deposited in the general fund and up to $1 million directed to the Sports Wagering Commission account.

• Establishes civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation (capped at $50,000 per occurrence) and criminal penalties (misdemeanor for first violation, gross misdemeanor if within five years of prior conviction).