Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday that he has sent letters to 14 operators of illegal gambling websites. The message directed them to stop offering online gambling in Minnesota because they may violate Minnesota consumer-protection laws that prohibit deceptive, fraudulent, unfair, or unconscionable practices.
The websites in question include social sweepstakes casinos that use virtual coins to play casino games for cash and prizes. Additional websites offering sports betting, poker, and other forms of gambling are all prohibited under Minnesota’s laws (Minn. St. 609.755-609.76).
According to the press release, the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety sent letters to these sites and several others earlier this year. The operators were informed about potential criminal-law violations that arise with online gambling.
“Online platforms offering sportsbooks and casino games run by out-of-state and overseas operators may make it look as though online gambling is legal and safe in Minnesota, but let me be clear: it’s not,” Ellison said. “Trying to rebrand poker chips as virtual currencies does not change the fact that these online gambling operations are unlawful. “By continuing to operate online gambling sites in Minnesota, these operators are likely openly defying our state’s laws and I will not stand for it.”
Currently, tribal gambling, the Minnesota lottery, pari-mutuel betting, and licensed charitable gambling are the only types of gambling permitted under Minnesota law.
All 14 operators were sent letters on Wednesday. The gambling sites being put on notice are:
The list of operators includes social sweepstakes casinos like VG LuckyLand, Zula Casino and Fortune Coins. These sites allow consumers to play slots, blackjack, or roulette and redeem virtual currency also known as Sweeps Coins. Players receive them as a bonus or get them for free when purchasing Gold Coins that have no monetary value. Players can redeem Sweeps for gift cards and cash prizes.
As far as the illegal gambling sites go, Ellison is partnering with Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson to kick these illegal betting sites out. Jacobson mentioned the fact that these gambling sites “deliver only risk to Minnesota consumers.”
“Most are based outside the United States to avoid laws, regulation, and enforcement measures. There’s no accountability, no protection for players, and no way of knowing if the betting will be run fairly,” Jacobson said. “Through our Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, we will work with the attorney general to hold these operators accountable, protect Minnesotans, and ensure the integrity of Minnesota’s gaming industry.”
Minnesota is not the only U.S. jurisdiction where illegal gambling sites are constantly raising red flags. Take Michigan, a state where online casinos and sportsbooks are legal and regulated. This doesn’t stop the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) from sending out cease-and-desist letters at least once a month. The MGCB’s most recent list included eight online casino operators.
The Pennsylvania Control Board, which regulates legal online sportsbooks and casinos in the Keystone State, posts a press release at the start of every football season to warn gamblers about illegal offshore sports betting sites.
