Lawmakers Advance Bills Curbing Online Lottery Sales

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Legislation reeling in the Minnesota Lottery's spread into sales of tickets through gas pumps, ATMs and its Internet site is again on the move.

A House committee advanced a pair of bills Wednesday that would suspend the electronic offerings.

It's similar to a push last year that ended with overwhelming votes in favor but a veto from Gov. Mark Dayton.

Lawmakers have voiced concern over making gambling too convenient and outrage over the lottery's decision to introduce new platforms without their consent.

Lottery Director Ed Van Petten says he's open to a compromise that requires future expansions to win legislative backings first.

But he says suspending online sales of drawing tickets and instant-win games would threaten the lottery's viability and ultimately mean less money for the state and environmental programs.