The effort to curtail online gambling in Minnesota seems to have ended, with the state backing off of its request that internet service providers block access to online casinos for residents of Minnesota.

Following the announcement, a group of ISPs withdrew their federal lawsuit against the state challenging the order.

John Willems of the state’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division said, “Whether or not the service providers ultimately would have prevailed in court is unknown. I believe it may be more appropriate to resolve this problem by working to create clear and effective government policies concerning regulation of gambling.”

Minnesota was claiming that all online gambling in the state is illegal and notified a number of providers like AT&T, Comcast, DirecTV, Sprint/Nextel, Qwest, Verizon Wireless and Embarq, ordering them to restrict the sites people can visit.

In response, the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association filed suit in federal court.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.