CBS Local – A month after instant “scratch-off” Minnesota Lottery ticket sales went live on the Internet, the pioneering venture faces a high-powered threat at the Capitol.
The Senate leaders of both parties and tax committee heads in both chambers are seeking a one-sentence change in state law to permanently turn off the new portal for gambling. Among other issues, lawmakers are upset that lottery officials introduced the games without seeking their approval through explicit legislation allowing it.
A bill forcing the change gets an initial committee hearing next week, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk predicted there are sufficient votes in the full Senate to pass it.
Lottery Director Ed Van Petten told The Associated Press this week he has been meeting with lawmakers in an attempt to allay concerns and has kept Gov. Mark Dayton’s office apprised of developments. Dayton hasn’t evaluated the legislative proposal, his spokesman said.
“We’re taking it seriously,” Van Petten said of the threat.
The backlash comes from several quarters. Some lawmakers, particularly Republicans, have raised moral and philosophical objections to state-sponsored gambling and view the Internet option as especially troublesome.
