Minnesota Renews Legal Action Against Illegal Gambling Sites

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison has intensified the state’s crackdown on unlicensed online gambling, sending another round of cease-and-desist letters to 14 operators that continue to serve Minnesota residents despite prior warnings. The move underscores the state’s commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive and illegal gaming platforms that fall outside U.S. oversight.

Ellison Reasserts Minnesota’s Stand on Illegal Gambling

The latest enforcement action focuses on both offshore sportsbooks and social sweepstakes casinos that, according to Ellison’s office, have been running operations in violation of state consumer protection and gambling laws. These websites use tactics that make online betting appear legitimate, even though Minnesota prohibits all online gambling.

“Online platforms offering sportsbooks and casino games run by out-of-state and overseas operators may make it look as though online gambling is legal and safe in Minnesota, but let me be clear: it is not,” Ellison said in his announcement. “Trying to rebrand poker chips as virtual currencies does not change the fact that these online gambling operations are unlawful.”

The Attorney General’s office said that all 14 companies had previously received warning letters in June but failed to comply. Among those named were VG LuckyLand, Zula Casino, Fortune Coins, BetAnySports, BetUs, XBet, BetNow, BetWhale, EveryGame Sportsbook, BetOnline, Slotsandcasino, Bovada, MyBookie.com, and Sportsbetting.com.

Letters were sent out again on Wednesday from the office, example of the which can be found for social sweepstakes casinos and undisguised gambling websites

These operators now face potential civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation and could be subject to court injunctions or repayment of profits derived from unlawful activities.

State Collaboration to Protect Consumers

Ellison’s renewed action follows coordination with the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGE) of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The AGE had initially reached out to the same websites earlier this year, cautioning them about potential criminal violations connected to their operations.

Commissioner Bob Jacobson of the Department of Public Safety emphasized that the state’s goal is to ensure Minnesotans are not misled by companies operating outside the law. “Illegal online casinos and sweepstakes sites make big promises but deliver only risk to Minnesota consumers,” Jacobson said. “Most are based outside the United States to avoid laws, regulation and enforcement measures. There’s no accountability, no protection for players and no way to know if the betting will be run fairly.”

Minnesota’s Strict Gambling Framework

While online gambling continues to expand nationally, Minnesota’s laws remain firm. The state prohibits all forms of online casinos and sports betting. The Attorney General’s office noted that some sweepstakes-style platforms attempt to skirt the law by using “virtual currencies” like sweeps coins, which players can purchase and redeem for cash prizes. According to Ellison, this practice still qualifies as gambling and is illegal under state statutes (Minn. St. 609.755–609.76).

Unregulated gambling platforms, Ellison warned, operate without state auditing or consumer safeguards. Players using such sites have no assurance of fair play or access to winnings, nor any legal protections if disputes arise.

Minnesota’s effort is part of a growing national trend in confronting offshore operators. In recent months, regulators in Washington, Michigan, Arizona, and Massachusetts have also taken similar steps, issuing cease-and-desist orders to sites like Bovada, MyBookie, and BetOnline.

Source:

“Attorney General Ellison directs illegal gambling websites to stop offering services in Minnesota”, ag.state.mn.us. November 5, 2025