Minnesota Report
When the Minnesota Racing Commission passed the ability for the state’s two horse tracks Canterbury Downs and Running Aces to provide a video game which allows betting on races already run, but with an added feature to randomize the outcome, they stepped directly into a conflict with the Indian Gaming Compact.
Cut, dried and simple, no other entity is allowed to use slot machine styled gaming. This is the same issue which the charitable gaming community experienced in recent years. Electronic pull-tabs are based off of pull tabs but not a slot machine application.
It appears Rep Zachary Stephenson (DFL-35A, Coon Rapids) is right to quickly move to prevent to historic horse racing from starting. Now granted, this is a significant legal question. For years, people have wanted to find ways to open the compact and the state’s Native American Tribes have rebuffed those efforts. There are instances where the legislature either fails to act like in federal tax conformity or even actively passes laws that could be considered unconstitutional, but would require a court case to prove. This is why the tribes are in the discussions over legalizing Sports book, because they could do it on their own, and even offer better payoffs in doing so.