HF 4437 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Wagers and other activities regarding prediction markets prohibited, criminal convictions made a disqualification for receiving a lawful gambling license, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill prohibits businesses and individuals from operating prediction markets in Minnesota that allow wagers on specific events including sports, politics, disasters, and death. It makes it a felony to run platforms where people can place bets on outcomes related to these topics, while also criminalizing certain types of advertisements that promote such activities during specific times or in locations near schools. The law applies to anyone facilitating these transactions, including payment processors and media outlets, and bars convicted operators from obtaining gaming licenses for ten years. The legislation does not affect existing legal gambling activities like horse racing or private social bets among friends.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 18, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Apr 7, 2026

MODERATE

This bill expands Minnesota's prohibition on prediction markets by adding a new statute that specifically bans hosting platforms for wagering on events like elections, disasters, and popular culture. It also introduces new disqualification criteria for gambling license holders, including convictions related to prediction markets, and clarifies advertising restrictions to prevent misleading claims about legality.

Scope change

The bill significantly broadens the scope of prohibited activities to include a wide range of events (e.g., weather, entertainment releases) and explicitly targets the operators of prediction market platforms, while adding new eligibility restrictions for those seeking gambling licenses.

SCOPE

Added a new section creating a specific crime for creating, operating, or managing prediction market platforms.

DEFINITION

Defined key terms such as 'prediction market,' 'athletic event,' 'esports event,' and 'game of skill' to clarify what is prohibited.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new disqualification ground for gambling license applicants who were convicted of violating the prediction market statute within the last ten years.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the list of prohibited wagering outcomes to explicitly include events like mass shootings, legal actions, and statements made by individuals.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated advertising rules to prohibit operators from claiming their products are legal if they are not authorized under state law.

EXCEPTIONS

Created exceptions for prediction market bans regarding activities that are already legal under other laws or contracts.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Commerce Finance and Policy

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors