Minnesota Sports Betting Poll Shows Support

If the next round of Minnesota sports betting discussions mirrors what voters appear to want, legalization might just be on the horizon.

According to a recent poll from the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, more than two-thirds of respondents support some form of sports betting legalization in Minnesota. That is a hefty number. What’s more, just 22 percent of those surveyed actively oppose sports gambling. Meanwhile, 11 percent of those who participated say that they remain unsure.

While it is not immediately clear how these results will impact The Land of 10,000 Lakes’ sports betting chances, it will absolutely shape the arguments being made. Policymakers in favor of legalization are already citing it. Without question, the Minnesota sports betting poll results are bound to come up early and often once next year’s legislative sessions begin. They are currently scheduled for the middle of February. And not surprisingly, the future of sports betting in Minnesota sits near the top of topics to track.

Of course, this prominence cannot be conflated with outright support. The state has discussed sports betting legalization almost annually ever since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018. While headway has been made in certain years, with initiatives even making it past the House of Representatives, all of the proposed bills have failed to make it over the hump.

Last year’s botched attempt, in fact, has many people believing that support has actually taken a step backward. If anything, the most recent update on Minnesota sports betting legalization painted a bleak outlook.

Tourism is Also Factoring into Minnesota Sports Betting Argument

In addition to the poll, the economic impact of legal sports betting is being used to prop up arguments by supporters. The focus is traditionally on tax revenue. More recently, though, Minnesota Indian Gaming Association Director Andy Platto is emphasizing how it can be a tourist draw as well.

Consider this excerpt from a recent piece by Jill R. Dorson of In Game:

“The sell for Platto and the lawmakers is now convincing peers that legal sports betting will benefit and not harm Minnesotans. Platto teased a MIGA study showing that tribal gaming already supports 17,000 jobs — many in rural areas — and brings two million tourists a year to the state. He also said that recent polling indicates 67 percent of Minnesotans support legal betting. ‘One of the things we never talk about in this debate is that people really want to do this and have fun doing this,’ [State Senator Nick] Frentz said. ‘The way responsible gaming is framed is not well understood by many members. But lots of people here are betting, so regulated is better than not regulated.’”

Senator Frentz’s point about sports betting in the United States being something that people want is fair. Many ballot measures proposing constitutional amendments have passed since 2018. He is also correct in saying that Minnesota sports betting still takes place, regardless of the laws. Residents use offshore sites, and they also have the option of crossing state lines to place wagers.

Color us skeptical, however, about the “two million tourists” estimation from the Minnesota Indiana Gaming Association. Who is traveling to The Land of 10,000 Lakes with the specific intention to gamble or bet on sports? Minnesota is surrounded by a host of states with legal sports betting. It is hard to believe they will generate a lot more foot traffic into the region with sports betting, unless they are planning some elaborate resort-style sportsbooks and casinos.

Approval for Sports Betting is Apparently Strong Across Many Demographics

Poll results can typically be skewed by certain demographics. For example, men between the ages of 31 and 49 tend to support sports betting more frequently than other age and gender groups.

However, as the preliminary results on the Minnesota sports betting poll show, pro-gambling stances are a majority rule across a bunch of different demos. Here’s a look at the approval ratings from various categories:

Republicans: 68 percent
Democrats: 70 percent
Independents: 61 percent
Kamala Harris Voters from 2024: 72 percent
Donald Trump Voters from 2024: 67 percent
Men: 67 percent
Women: 67 percent

While surveys are subject to a margin of error, this seems pretty definitive. If Minnesota sports betting were put on the 2026 ballot, it seems like voters would pass it.

Granted, the state may not require a constitutional amendment, which limits voter input. Under the most recently proposed bill, only tribal operators could operate online sports betting sites. They would have the flexibility to reach out to other companies for partnerships, but since it’s a tribal-led initiative, the details on the exact method of passage are fuzzy.

Even so, the prevailing line of thought among constituents is supposed to play a factor in shaping policy. That is the entire point of elected officials. Their agendas are supposed to reflect that of the people they represent.

At the same time, there are risks associated with legal sports betting. This includes an uptick in problem gambling reports. On top of that, the 67 percent approval rating is not technically confirmed. The entity conducting it also has a vested stake in sports betting being legalized. Failing that, it’s just a sample of the population.

This is all to say, anything feels like it’s on the table heading into 2026. Minnesota sports betting could make it through the House and Senate. Or it could flop in one or both of them. We’ll just have to wait and see.

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