Minnesota Governor Fights to Save Online Lottery Products
With the use of his veto power, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton prevented the state lottery’s online scratch card initiative from being shot down at the end of the legislative year; however legislators say they will continue to fight against it in the new year.
Lottery director Ed Van Petten has the support of the governor to launch online ticket sales and scratch cards to not only increase sales but reach a wider demographic.
Van Petten has worked to educate lawmakers on his online initiative and prove that it will not add to the number of problem gamblers.
Since launching online lottery products, Van Petten says that lottery sales shot up with 31,000 additional players over the course of the year. A good portion of the players were under the age of 35, which is an important factor in sustaining the future of the state lottery.
Van Petten also notes that none of the negative predictions made my legislatures have been proven at this point.