An attempt to get the House to consider authorizing a horse-track casino to fund a Vikings stadium was shot down Tuesday.
Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, sought to introduce the idea in debate on an agriculture and veterans bill. But Rep. Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, attacked the amendment for being unrelated to the main bill. Members voted 99-31 against allowing the amendment.
"This issue is not going away," Hackbarth said. Supporters of slot machines at Canterbury Park, an attraction known as a racino, have tried to link their fortunes to the Vikings by offering to kick $40 million a year into a new, $870 million Vikings stadium. Former Sen. Dick Day, now the lead lobbyist for the racino, has indicated a racino could generate $100 million a year in profits. But the idea has met resistance from legislators who are opposed to an expansion of gambling in Minnesota or a venture that would compete with Indian casinos.
