Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton considers starting a state run casino in the Twin Cities to raise money

Dayton says he would consider supporting a Twin Cities casino to raise money for Minnesota’s ailing budget, but not for a new Vikings stadium.

The former senator says a metro-area casino would raise about $200 million a year, and would bring “much needed competition” to Mystic Lake Casino, the only tribally run casino in the Twin Cities area.

The Prior Lake casino is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux community.

Dayton says he wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, including tribal members who have received million-dollar casino pay-outs.

He says the money would pay for services such as public schools.

Dayton talked about the idea at a wide-ranging Capitol news conference Monday.

The former U.S. senator says a metro-area casino would raise about $200 million a year.

He says such a facility would bring “much needed competition” to Mystic Lake Casino, the only tribally run casino in the Twin Cities. The Prior Lake establishment is owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton  Sioux Community.

Dayton says he wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, including tribal members who have received million-dollar casino pay-outs. He says the money would pay for services such as public schools.

Dayton says he is not only considering a state-run casino but also tax increases on couples who make more than $150k.

After a news conference last week in which he ducked most reporters’ questions, DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton reappeared at the Capitol on Monday with more details about his campaign.

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