Minnesota Online Gambling Issue Not Yet Resolved

Recently the Poker Players Alliance issued a statement that the state of Minnesota had withdrawn its instructions to the Internet Service Providers to block the 200 online casinos from being accessed by Minnesota residents. The Poker Players Alliance was one of the organizations opposing this move by the state of Minnesota.

Actually this announcement is premature and the matter still remains unresolved. The spokespersons for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said that though the withdrawal is under consideration a final decision has not yet been taken. It was reported earlier that the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is discussing the issue with iMEGA. Chairman of iMEGA, Joe Brennan Jr., confirmed this. In a statement released at the iMEGA web site Brennan said, “Press reports that iMEGA has declared victory in this matter are inaccurate. While we cannot speak to whatever information other organizations or officials are basing their own public statements, it is the position of iMEGA, the Minnesota attorney-general and the Department of Public Safety that no settlement agreement exists at this time, and that statements of other parties outside of the negotiation are speculative and premature.” Brennan though added that he is hopeful of a resolution in the near future. 

The Poker Players Alliance clarified that their announcement was based on a statement issued by Representative Pat Garofolo, who had introduced the legislation to end the order. Praising the Poker Players Alliance for their efforts in forcing the retraction Garofolo said that Minnesota had reconsidered its legal position and therefore he was withdrawing his bill.