MN lottery director says he has authority to expand sales

Several bills that would limit how lottery tickets are sold in Minnesota are advancing through the House and Senate.

Lawmakers say the Minnesota Lottery acted outside its authority when it began selling online, at gas pumps and through ATMs. They sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill banning those sales last year. But Dayton vetoed that bill after lawmakers went home at the end of session.

Now the issue has resurfaced. And though Dayton is defending the lottery's move, it's not clear if he would veto another bill if it reached his desk.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ed Van Petten, the executive director of the Minnesota Lottery, about the situation.