A House committee passed a bill that would roll back some ways players can currently buy games of chance from the Minnesota State Lottery.
The Ways and Means Committee heard and passed a bill authored by Rep. Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, that includes a number of technical provisions related to charity gambling, while also restricting the State Lottery from selling tickets online or at gas pumps or ATMs. The bill will now go to the House floor.
Similar legislation is moving through the Senate committee process.
The restrictions on the lottery are viewed as a proxy fight with Gov. Mark Dayton. Dayton vetoed a similar measure last year and has said he'll veto it this year, though talks with legislators are said to be ongoing. Dayton charged this month the bills are designed to protect gambling interests against State Lottery competition.
Lawmakers have voiced concern that the State Lottery moved into the new buying platforms without permission from the Legislature.
Since its inception, the lottery has dumped $2.4 billion into state coffers, including $950 million for environmental spending.
