Minnesota daily fantasy sports bill stall in the Senate

The Minnesota intrastate daily fantasy sports legalisation bill that sailed so easily through the state House last week (see previous report) stalled in the Taxes Committee of the state Senate Thursday on opposition from senior lawmakers Sen. Rod Skoe and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk.

After some discussion the author of the bill, Sen. Sandy Pappas surrendered and tabled the bill for the year.

“I think it would be better to consider it again next year,” a resigned Pappas said.

Ray Bohn of Allied Charities of Minnesota told the Senate committee that his members would be hurt if fantasy sports was allowed, claiming that for-profit fantasy sports pay lower taxes than charitable gambling organisations are required to donate.

“We are helping people in our community every day build hockey arenas, put food on the food shelves and things like that…” Bohn said. “I would hope you do not place us at a competitive disadvantage.”

Bohn said that if the Pappas bill became law, it would steal players away from charities.