Minnesota Legislature passes lottery bill scrapping online scratch-off games

May 17, 2014, 11:08 am (7 comments)

Minnesota Lottery

Gov. unsure if he will sign bill

Both the Minnesota House and Senate on Friday overwhelmingly approved restrictions on online sales of state lottery tickets.

The bill now goes to Gov. Mark Dayton, who has said he hasn't decided whether he'll sign it.

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, called implementation of the new electronic games "overreach by the administration."

"Politically, we pinned their ears back," said Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston. "The lottery needs to have some controls, some safeguards."

But Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, said the Legislature is still going to have to grapple with how the lottery and other state operations adapt to changing technology. "We're kind of reactive and going from one end to the other," he said, sometimes demanding agencies put things online and other times objecting when they act on their own.

The Senate vote was 56-5. The House approved it 126-2.

Under the bill, the state lottery's foray into online scratch-off games would cease by November, and lottery sales would be banned at gas pumps and ATMs.

The online versions of lotto-style games like Powerball and Mega Millions, which have been in place for more than three years, would remain. Those games haven't been controversial, but the lottery's implementation in February of online scratch-off games sparked the backlash from lawmakers and gambling opponents.

A state fiscal analysis estimated that ending online lottery sales would cost the state about $3 million in FY 2014-15 and $12 million in FY 2016-17.

Last year, the lottery generated $135 million for environmental and other state programs.

Pioneer Press

Comments

Todd's avatarTodd

I guess the headline could read, "Minnesota legislature celebrates throwing $12 million in annual revenue out the window".  And it's not like it can be blamed on one political party or another.  They are both equally stupid here.

Hopefully the Governor will veto the bill, forcing the legislature to override the veto.  No doubt they have the votes to do it, but it's called standing up on principle.

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Give the people what they want.

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Come on Minnesota!!!

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

The Minnesota Representatives should start representing the people like they're supposed to instead of the special interests.

But apparently they're all bought and paid for already.

Jon D's avatarJon D

I guess I'm in the minority here, but with the overwhelming majority of MN state legislators.

I think it's fine offering online versions of traditional lottery games PB/MM, lotto and daily games.

But online scratch games are an absolute abomination and crosses a red line with me. Absolutely not. Thumbs Down

Saylorgirl's avatarSaylorgirl

Quote: Originally posted by Jon D on May 19, 2014

I guess I'm in the minority here, but with the overwhelming majority of MN state legislators.

I think it's fine offering online versions of traditional lottery games PB/MM, lotto and daily games.

But online scratch games are an absolute abomination and crosses a red line with me. Absolutely not. Thumbs Down

I will join you in your minority!

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by Saylorgirl on May 19, 2014

I will join you in your minority!

Thumbs Up

End of comments
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