Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently took enforcement action against 14 foreign sports betting and casino websites, issuing cease and desist notices to curb illegal online gambling activities. This action targets unregulated operators, emphasizing their violation of state laws and consumer protection laws, and highlights the legislative deadlock in Minnesota on the legalization of sports betting.
Enforcement Actions and Details
In June, Attorney General Ellison, through the Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, sent letters to 14 websites including BetAnySports and BetNow, indicating their potential involvement in criminal and civil violations. Ellison stated that these websites operate online gambling platforms in Minnesota, misleading the public into believing they are legal, but in reality, they are illegal activities, and law enforcement will not tolerate such disregard for the law. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson added that foreign websites lack regulation, posing risks to consumers and cannot guarantee fairness.
Legislative Attempts and Political Divisions
Minnesota legislators have repeatedly pushed for the legalization of sports betting, nearly reaching a bipartisan agreement in 2024, but in the 2025 session, opposition groups blocked Senator Matt Klein's bill. The Democratic Farmer Labor Party supports tribal exclusivity in gambling rights, while Republicans advocate including racetracks, leading to divisions. Industry insiders say there is about a 50% chance of passing legislation in 2026, but the legalization process is still stalled.
National Enforcement Trends
Other states such as California, New York, and Louisiana have also taken similar enforcement actions, banning lottery activities or issuing notices to unregulated operators. For example, the Attorney General of New York issued cease and desist letters to 26 lottery websites, and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board targeted 40 operators, showing a national trend towards stronger gambling regulation.
