Written by :
Published on :
News that seemed to come out of nowhere on Wednesday: The state of Minnesota has decided it is going to block its citizens from gambling online.
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA.org) has vowed to stop this action.
"iMEGA will be reaching out to all concerned parties to block this action by Minnesota," founder Joe Brennan, Jr. said on Wednesday.
iMEGA is no stranger to fighting state attempts at blocking online gambling.
Earlier this year, a three judge appellate panel overturned a Kentucky lower court's decision that would have resulted in the seizure of 141 different Internet gambling domains.
iMEGA Chairman Joe Brennan stated, "We are very happy with the court's ruling today. The judges clearly agreed with our interpretation of the law, and thankfully, this reverses what would have been a terrible precedent for our country and the Internet."
iMEGA filed the appeal immediately following the lower court's decision.
And now it's Minnesota's turn.
Using a 1961 federal law designed to stop illegal gambling, the state has directed 11 telephone and Internet service providers to block nearly 200 gambling Web sites.
The state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division says it expects responses from AT&T Internet Services, Charter Communications, Comcast Cable and the other providers within two or three weeks.
AT&T, Charter and Comcast representatives didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
"We are putting site operators and Minnesota online gamblers on notice and in advance," says John Willems, director of AGED. "Disruption of these sites' cash flow will negatively impact their business models. State residents with online escrow accounts should be aware that access to their accounts may be jeopardized and their funds in peril."
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
