Internet Sales of Minnesota Lottery Tickets Coming to Halt

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota's lottery is primed to pull the plug on ticket sales over the Internet.

In a series of steps beginning Friday, the lottery will stop selling Mega Millions, Hot Lotto, Gopher 5, Powerball and instant-win tickets online. When the instant-win games launched in early 2014, Minnesota became the first state to give the scratch-off franchise a virtual option.

But state lawmakers were instantly uncomfortable and passed a law this spring that forced the lottery to stop those sales. The lottery could face legal repercussions from vendors that will see contracts terminated early.

Executives at the companies didn't return emails or phone calls seeking comment.

By mid-September any players that have money or winnings remaining in their individual accounts will get a check from the state.