Minnesota lawmaker who once opposed state lottery supports sports betting

Phyllis Kahn's experience with betting constituted an unprofitable day at the races. It was not really her thing.

“I don't hang around with people who do a lot of gambling,” she said.

Kahn, however, appreciates a healthy revenue stream, which is why the 21-term member of the Minnesota House of Representatives has tabled her sentiments for what she calls “the fiscal aspects.” She is sponsoring a bill to legalize sports betting in her state. As many as six other states have introduced bills that would provide a framework for exploring legalized sports betting.

“To think we have a law opposing (sports gambling) or stopping it is terminally stupid,” said the 78-year-old, hockey-playing grandmother. “Anyone with an Internet connection can make a bet.”

Kahn introduced the legislation, H.F. 765, in February. It seems to be tailor-made for her outspokenness and affinity for controversial or unorthodox causes.

“The odds are already published in the papers,” she said. “It shows how silly it is to make it illegal.”

Fueled by Internet gambling with offshore bookmakers, billions of dollars annually are bet illegally on sports in the United States. Kahn would like to tap into the windfall. Taxes from lotteries, casinos and other forms of legal betting help Minnesota maintain a surplus, but Kahn said the state still is “losing profitability” by outlawing sports betting.

A Democrat, Kahn said she opposed the first Minnesota lottery bill and “extensions” of other forms of gambling but came to see how the state would benefit. Kahn's first effort at legalizing sports betting failed in 2013. Aware of New Jersey's struggle for legalization, she knows passage again will be difficult. But she said she is encouraged by what appears to be more receptiveness to gambling.

Kahn said she was especially struck by the New York Times op-ed piece written by “the basketball guy.” That would be NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“Obviously, (professional sports) are moving forward,” she said. “They're not opposing it as much as before.”

Joe Hoppe, a Republican colleague of Kahn's who supports H.F. 765, said, “I think society's changing. More and more people are looking at it and saying, ‘What's the harm in it?' and ‘Let's capture some tax revenue.' ”

Kahn, who earned three degrees from three Ivy League schools, has backed more controversial bills that have brought her notoriety, such as supporting marriage between cousins and allowing 12-year-olds to vote. Neither bill had a chance.

Kahn has reasonable explanations for both, but she would rather be known for such enacted legislation as a stringent indoor-smoking ban ahead of its time and Minnesota's no-fault divorce law. She is a staunch advocate of environmental and bicycle laws and of gender equality. Kahn authored a law that mandates equal ice time for male and female hockey players.

Kahn plays hockey herself, suiting up Sunday nights from October to April. The league is mostly state government workers, “men and women who understand the concept of social hockey,” she said.

“I play very badly,” Kahn said. “I put most of my energy into making sure I don't get hurt.”

Bob Cohn is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at bcohn@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BCohn_Trib.