A Native American tribe in Minnesota is looking to join forces with the state government to lobby Washington to loosen its laws prohibiting sports betting.
The driving force behind the initiative is Melanie Benjamin, chief executive of the 4,000-member Mille Lacs Band. The band runs two casinos that together make up the state's second largest native gaming operation.
Benjamin would also like to lobby the federal government to allow the band to institute new casino games as well as off-track horse betting.
In exchange for state support, the band would be willing to share in the profits if the lobbying efforts were successful. Among other things, the band would consider contributing funds to state charities as well as funnel money directly into government coffers.
The band might also be willing to swing a deal with the Twins and the Vikings whereby profits would be directed towards the construction of a new sports stadium.
"This would be a quality investment for the band and a solution to the stalemate that has plagued the stadium effort in the Legislature," Benjamin told the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune.
The initiative was well received by state Governor Tim Pawlenty and a state Senate leader.
The 18 Native-run casinos in Minnesota generated about $1.4 billion in 2003. Only California and Connecticut (home to Foxwoods) saw more revenue generated from Native casinos.
Of the money generated in Minnesota, a paltry $150,000 went to the state for gambling enforcement.
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