Sports gambling brings real March Madness

With March Madness fast approaching, millions of Americans are gearing up to fill out brackets and place bets on NCAA tournament games. Unfortunately, for many, this isn’t just a casual office pool — it’s part of a growing sports betting industry that preys on vulnerable individuals, including young men and college students.

In a major win for protecting Minnesotans, the Senate State and Local Government Committee recently declined to advance SF757, a bill that would have legalized online sports gambling in the state. The vote ended in a 6-6 tie, effectively halting the bill’s progress. This outcome was a significant victory for those concerned about the serious harms associated with online sports gambling, including addiction, financial devastation and increased social costs.

A special thank-you is owed to the bipartisan group of six legislators who listened to the concerns of their constituents and opposed the bill. This includes Sens. Justin Eichorn, Erin Maye Quade, Mark Koran, Steve Drazkowski, Omar Fateh and Cal Bahr.

Among those who testified against the bill were Bishop Michael Izen and Jesuit Father Peter Etzel, associate pastor of St. Thomas More in St. Paul, both of whom raised urgent moral and societal concerns about the dangers of expanded gambling access.

Father Etzel, drawing from personal experience, shared a cautionary tale from his time as a parish pastor in Milwaukee. A trusted bookkeeper at his parish became addicted to gambling, eventually embezzling nearly a million dollars to feed the addiction. The consequences were devastating — not only for the parish’s finances but also for the faith community that had placed its trust in this individual. While the individual used the funds for in-person betting, Father Etzel warned that the damage could have been even worse if online sports gambling had been available, making it easier to place bets anytime, anywhere.

Bishop Izen emphasized the predatory nature of online sports gambling, highlighting research showing that a small percentage of highly addicted users generate most of the industry’s profits. He pointed to the growing body of evidence from states that have legalized online sports betting, including spikes in gambling addiction, increased rates of domestic violence, and financial ruin for many families. He also noted the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s recent calls for a nationwide ban on in-game prop bets in collegiate sports due to concerns about game integrity and athlete harassment.

Although sports betting proponents argue that legalization would bring in tax revenue, the reality is that the social costs — bankruptcies, broken families and the strain on public services — far outweigh any financial gains for the state. The question remains: who truly benefits from legalizing online sports gambling? The answer is clear: the gambling industry, at the expense of Minnesotans.

As the excitement of March Madness builds, it is important to remember the real dangers of unchecked gambling expansion. Stopping SF757 in its tracks in committee is a small step in the right direction to protect Minnesotans from a predatory industry that thrives on addiction and loss.

Contact your state legislators online at and urge them to oppose any future attempts to legalize online sports gambling. Let them know that Minnesotans deserve protection from predatory industries, not policies that enable addiction and financial harm. Your voice can make a difference.

Inside the Capitol is a legislative update from Minnesota Catholic Conference staff.