This month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent letters to 14 gambling websites, informing them that they are violating Minnesota law. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) fully supports Attorney General Ellison’s efforts to use the authority of his office to uphold the law and shut down illegal gambling in the State of Minnesota.

As a federally recognized tribal government, the SMSC operates tribal gaming at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino that is heavily regulated by federal, state, and tribal regulators. The SMSC prides itself on offering a fair and highly regulated gaming experience to its customers. The SMSC employs a strong responsible gaming program.

So called “sweepstakes” online gaming is wholly unregulated. There are no consumer protections imposed on sweepstakes online casinos. Sweepstakes websites are able to scam the public and prey upon minors, with no accountability. Most of the sweepstakes companies are outside the United States. They provide no benefit to Minnesota.

Minnesota now joins several other states around the country who already acted to stop this illegal activity. Tribal governments play by the rules when operating their tribal casinos; so should all others who offer gaming to the public.