Through a concerted effort of some swift acting organizations, a Minnesota representative, and the people of Minnesota, the attempt to ban the internet addresses of gambling sites by that state is now over.
The PPA worked with the Attorney General to explain that the proposed ban was not enforceable.
iMEGA filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the ban's enforcement, as well as educating the involved ISP's on the legal precedents the action flew in the face of.
And Minesota State Rep Pat Garofalo intruduced a bill to legalize and regulate internet gambling. With today's news, that bill has been withdrawn. Rep Garofalo had this to say. "This is a great day for internet freedom. In the spirit of cooperation and in recognition of the rescission of these notices, I am more than happy to withdraw my bill and in its place sponsor a discussion aimed at establishing a framework for regulating and licensing the online gaming industry.”
Here is our original report on the issue when it happened:
"The department of public safety in Minnesota has decided that the safety of the public is being undermined by internet gambling. Apparently their safety is fine when gambling at Indian casinos that pay campaign contributions, however.
Citing some 1961 federal law that I have yet to see, and that must be so useless, no one else has tried to use it to protect their bribe money, the Minnesota department of public safety sent letters to 11 of the internet providers in the state to start blocking access to about 200 internet gambling sites for all Minnesota computers."
I think Public Safety got the message loud and clear with these three vocal opponents, but do not underestimate the people's voice. Every article I read in Minnesota news outlets about this issue vilified the move, and every comment from citizens ridiculed the effort.
So Hooray for freedom! and those who attempt to protect the few freedoms we have left!
06-05-2009, 11:24 AM
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