Dayton vetoes bill to limit online lottery
Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a bill that would have done away with instant-play lottery games over the Internet and barred sales of tickets via gas pumps or ATMs.
His decision Friday ends what had been suspense over a bill that passed with big bipartisan majorities on the final day of the legislative session. The Democratic governor confessed to being torn over the strong message sent by lawmakers and his fear that it was partly motivated by other gambling interests looking to protect turf.
The Minnesota Lottery launched its first online games in 2010, but drew the ire of lawmakers when it took the scratch-off franchise to the Internet this winter. Legislators say they should have been consulted first and feared it would make gambling too impulsive.
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