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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Minn. Asks ISPs to Block Gambling Sites

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(Newser) – Minnesota wants Internet providers who serve customers in the state to block access to Internet gambling sites, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Officials say the practice is illegal in the state, but how prevalent it is is unclear. “It's hard to know that," a gambling regulator said. “I can't tell you if it's one or 500,000. My only concern is that it's unlawful.”

One clue to the prevalence of online gambling in Minnesota is a drop-off in profits at legal, brick-and-mortar casinos. The state served notice on 11 ISPs, targeting nearly 200 gambling websites. “State residents with online escrow accounts should be aware that access to their accounts may be jeopardized and their funds in peril,” the regulator said.

Internet gambling software.
Internet gambling software.   (AP Photo)
Internet gambling software.
Internet gambling software.   (AP Photo)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.   (AP Photo)
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Also, I've had people call me and say they've lost $20,000; can I help them? I can't. - John Willems, Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division

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7 comments
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zero34
Apr 29, 09 3:16 PM CDT
i thought this was a free country? now they want to decide what people do with their money online? If they want to do anything on the liens of blocking gambling sites, then block the ones that are based in international waters, but keep the american based ones open. that's potential revenue and tax money at hand... the hypocrisy of freedom and blocking legal things like gambling sites is incredible. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 29, 09 3:20 PM CDT
Now, howsa politician to take his take if tere's no way of watchin da books? Reply
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AClotfelter
Apr 29, 09 4:21 PM CDT
How, exactly, do they propose the ISPs do this? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Newser001
Apr 29, 09 7:42 PM CDT
Quite easily... The player, gaming site, and mirror IPs are constantly identified, tracked, traced, and blocked from local ISP access (Filtering - Big in China). Furthermore, once notified, all become liable under State statutes, and perhaps down the road, Federal.... All parties; Even banks and their client's banking transactions to wager with. If they can block / impact P2P sharing, as some ISPs have done here in the States, they can most certainly impact online gaming. Everyone has a footprint of some sort, everyone.
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Zorro
Apr 29, 09 8:40 PM CDT
The stupidity of this is that if online gambling were regulated it would be easier to monitor who plays, how much they play, and how to tax it. Further more it would be easier to identify problem gamblers online then in offline casinos. This isn't about what's right for the people - its about whats right for the offline casinos and their powerful allies. Reply
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