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Minnesota Casino Bill Vote Delayed

MINNESOTA – As reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune: "Backers of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan for putting two state-sponsored casinos at Canterbury Park delayed a vote in a House committee Monday, fueling speculation that they needed more time to round up support for a still-evolving bill.

"A new amendment backed by the governor assumes a larger gambling operation than originally proposed and calls for the tribal partner to pay a smaller share of its revenues to the state.

"Under the proposed amendment, the White Earth Chippewa Band, which would own one of the casinos, would pay 20 percent of its slot machine revenue to the state, down from 26 percent. Canterbury, which would own the other casino, still would be required to give the state 26 percent of its slots revenue.

"…Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, sponsor of the bill for two casinos at the Canterbury racetrack, said a delay was needed to address technical problems with the bill, which doesn't exempt wagers from the state sales tax. The proposed amendment provides the exemption.

"It was the second time in a week that the vote on the gambling proposal has been postponed. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, had said that a vote would be last Thursday…"

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