Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has issued cease-and-desist orders to 14 unlicensed operators conducting business in the state, alleging the entities violated consumer-protection laws which prohibit "deceptive, fraudulent, unfair or unconscionable" practices.
"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.
"Trying to rebrand poker chips as virtual currencies does not change the fact that these online gambling operations are unlawful. By continuing to operate online gambling sites in Minnesota, these operators are likely openly defying our State's laws and I will not stand for it."
The Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety sent notices to the same entities in June 2025, warning each operator of potential criminal law violations which typically arise from online gambling.
Ellison ordered the operators to immediately halt all business conducted in Minnesota, including sweepstakes casinos and unauthorized sports betting offerings. At the time of writing, Minnesota has not legalized any form of sports betting for residents, creating potential criminal violations for the operators in question.
"Illegal online casinos and sweepstakes sites make big promises but deliver only risk to Minnesota consumers," Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said.
"Most are based outside the US 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. Through our Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement division, we will work with the Attorney General to hold these operators accountable, protect Minnesotans and ensure the integrity of Minnesota's gaming industry."
Operators issued cease-and-desist orders from Ellison include VG LuckyLand, Fortune Coins, BetUS, Bovada, MyBookie and Zula Casino. Under current Minnesota law, only licensed charitable gambling, Tribal gaming, pari-mutuel horse betting and the Minnesota Lottery are authorized gaming types for residents.
The action taken by Ellison was also said to target operators which run online platforms offering "undisguised illegal gambling," such as sportsbooks, horse racing, poker and live casino games.
Despite public support from professional sports teams and key stakeholders within the state, Minnesota lawmakers voted to a tie on legislation that would have legalized both in-person and online forms of sports gambling in February 2025
