By Ricardo Lopez
The Minnesota Legislature on Thursday gave final approval to a measure that prohibits the state lottery from operating online, casino-style games.
A spokesman for Gov. Mark Dayton said the governor would allow the bill to become law without signing it.
The GOP-led House voted 122 to 6 on the measure, which has received broad bipartisan support. The DFL-led Senate previously voted 56 to 8 to approve the prohibition. It will end the sales of instant-play tickets sold through gas station pumps and automated teller machines.
Dayton vetoed similar legislation last year, saying the Minnesota Lottery was within its regulatory authority to operate such games.
Photo: Ed Van Petten, executive director of the Minnesota Lottery, in February faced tough questioning from senators over lottery games on the internet and at gasoline pumps. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune)
