Minnesota lawmakers focus on sports betting, state liquor laws as session nears end

(St. Paul, MN) -- Minnesota state senators are making last minute efforts on a sports betting bill.

The Senate Finance Committee voted to advance a bill Thursday that would expand for-profit gambling in the state. One sticking point is whether Minnesotans should be allowed to place bets at racetracks. Only four days remain in the 2022 session, making the odds of a final deal are slim. 

In the meantime, state lawmakers are moving ahead with changes to Minnesota's liquor laws.

In a statement released Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller announced that both chambers had agreed to raise the state's "growler cap" from 20 thousand to 150 barrels. The measure reportedly ensures that large breweries can sell growlers on site. Among other changes, small breweries will now be able to up to 128 ounces of beer per day to customers; spirit manufacturers can sell cocktails and wineries will now be able to directly sell 23 hundred apple-based ciders barrels per year.

The bill passed through committee without a vote against on Thursday. The bill declares a large brewery as any company producing 150,000 barrels annually. Brewers below that level will be able to sell six-packs of alcohol to go to customers under the new bill.

The full House and Senate are expected to vote on the bill by the end of Monday. One measure taken out of the bill was the ability of 17-year-olds in Minnesota to serve alcohol at restaurants.