The Minnesota gambling regulator is attempting to prohibit state residents from accessing online gambling Web sites.
Referencing a 1961 federal law -- a section of the United States Code that addresses transmission of wagering information -- the state has instructed 11 regional telecom and Internet service providers to block Minnesotans' access to approximately 200 Web sites.
The state Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division said in a prepared statement Wednesday that it expects responses from AT&T, Charter Communications, Verizon Wireless and the others within "two or three weeks."
"We are putting site operators and Minnesota online gamblers on notice and in advance,” said John Willems, who is director of the gambling enforcement division. "Disruption of these sites’ cash flow will negatively impact their business models."
Mr. Willems said Minnesota residents with online escrow accounts "should be aware that access to their accounts may be jeopardized and their funds in peril."
IGamingNews will update this story imminently with further detail.