Minnesota representative says ban goes too far

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- As reported by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: "A state representative wants to prevent state law enforcement from following through on its effort to keep Minnesotans from gambling online.

"Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, introduced legislation Monday that would bar the Department of Public Safety from forcing Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to 200 online gambling sites that the state wants targeted.

"The legislation comes in response to a letter sent last week from the state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division to 11 ISPs directing them to block the sites. There is no indication yet that any of the ISPs intend to act on the state's directive.

"Minnesota says all online gambling within the state is illegal, even if the games are hosted outside the United States. Operators of these types of sites are most commonly in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean..."