In a bold move to address the issue of unregulated gambling within its borders, Minnesota has initiated a crackdown on illegal online betting activities. Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on Wednesday that cease-and-desist letters have been dispatched to 14 gambling websites operating unlawfully in the state. These sites include offshore sports betting and casino operators as well as dual-currency sweepstakes platforms.
Ellison emphasized the state’s stance in a public statement, making it clear that despite appearances, online gambling is neither legal nor safe in Minnesota. He pointed out that attempts to disguise traditional poker chips as virtual currencies do not legally alter the nature of these operations. “By continuing to operate online gambling sites in Minnesota, these operators are likely openly defying our state’s laws and I will not stand for it,” Ellison asserted.
The targeted operators in this enforcement action are:
– BetAnySports
– BetNow
– BetOnline
– BetUS
– BetWhale
– Bovada
– EveryGame Sportsbook
– Fortune Coins
– MyBookie.com
– Slotsandcasino
– Sportsbetting.com
– VG Luckyland
– XBet
– Zula Casino
This crackdown did not emerge in a vacuum. Earlier in the summer, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division also reached out to these operators, notifying them of potential legal breaches. Despite these warnings, the sites have persisted in their activities, prompting Ellison’s current legal action.
The state’s law enforcement bodies have highlighted the lack of accountability and player protection associated with these illegal platforms. “Illegal online casinos and sweepstakes sites make big promises but deliver only risk to Minnesota consumers,” stated Bob Jacobson, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner. He further explained that most of these operations are based outside the United States, thus evading local laws and enforcement measures.
Efforts to legalize sports betting in Minnesota have been ongoing, with lawmakers repeatedly introducing legislation aimed at regulation. Despite nearing a bipartisan agreement as the 2024 legislative session concluded, opposition resurfaced in 2025, thwarting a bill backed by Senator Matt Klein. The Senate Finance Committee had previously held a hearing that underscored the potential harms associated with sports betting.
Senator Klein, who represents the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, voiced his frustration, asserting that lawmakers were “abandoning” the people of Minnesota and the state’s 11 tribes by not proceeding with legalization efforts. The political divide is evident, with the DFL supporting tribal exclusivity and Republicans advocating for inclusion of the state’s horse racing tracks in sports betting operations. Despite this setback, industry insiders suggest that Minnesota may remain one of the more promising states to pass sports betting legislation heading into 2026, with odds described as evenly split.
Minnesota’s actions are part of a broader national trend where states are taking a more aggressive stance against unregulated gambling. During the current legislative session, states like California, Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey passed laws prohibiting sweepstakes, which account for a significant portion of US revenue from such operations.
In Louisiana, despite Governor Jeff Landry’s veto of a similar bill, regulators have been active, with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board issuing 40 cease-and-desist letters to unregulated operators. The situation in New York mirrors this proactive enforcement, as Attorney General Letitia James sent 26 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators this summer. While Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to sign S5935, the legislative push against unregulated platforms remains robust.
Other states including Maryland, Michigan, and Arizona have also taken significant measures to curb illegal gambling, signaling a unified effort across the country to bring the burgeoning online gambling industry into a regulated framework.
The ongoing debate in Minnesota reflects broader tensions within American states regarding how to manage the rapid expansion of online gambling. Proponents argue that regulation could provide additional revenue and consumer protections, while critics raise concerns about gambling addiction and the social costs associated with increased accessibility. As Minnesota and other states navigate these challenges, the battle over online gambling’s future remains a contentious and closely watched issue.
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