Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
St. Paul, Minn.

Dick Day resigns from Senate to lobby for gambling

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A veteran state lawmaker says he's resigning his Minnesota Senate seat in a month to lobby full time for legislation to expand state-sponsored gambling in Minnesota.

Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, announced Tuesday that he'll lead an effort called Racino Now, a group funded by horse owners, to push for a bill allowing slot machines and video gambling machines at the Canterbury Park and Running Aces horse racing tracks.

Day said the gambling activity would bring in $250 million to the state every two years.

Day has pushed unsuccessfully for a racino measure before, but never worked on it full time.

"I don't have enough time to go legislate 201 legislators, because I have my own Senate district, and we're trying to get roads and schools and a whole host of things done," said Day. "So what happens is nobody is actually stayed on it and talked to legislators every single day about this."

Day said the effort is not designed specifically to fund a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, but he said the revenue could be directed toward that effort.

Day has served in the Senate for 19 years. He led the GOP Senate minority from 1997 to 2006. He lost last year's Republican primary for Congress in Minnesota's 1st District.