In the past, folks in the interactive gaming industry thought of Minnesota and Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III (or HHH 3.0, as Mr. Nambling named him) and his aggressive stance against Internet gaming.
But, now those Minnesotans have again begun to exhibit their more characteristic open-mindedness. That open-minded tone has been set by Governor Jesse Ventura (who coincidentally surprised everyone by beating HHH 3.0 for the governorship) Now, the Legislature is expressing their own independence by exploring options as it relates to Internet gaming.
The legislature, prior to its recent adjournment, introduced a bill which authorizes a study of internet gaming as a potential resource for the state. Initiated by the state's Senate Finance Committee, the bill would take a look at the value of a commission to study the activity as well as the value which internet gaming might offer to the State of Minnesota.
IGN garnered the following language to give you a sense of Minnesota Senate on the issue:
"BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
The House research office, Minnesota lottery research division, and office of Senate counsel and research shall conduct a study of gambling on the Internet, and shall issue a report on this matter by February 1, 2000.
The study shall consider the benefits and costs to Minnesota from legalization of Internet gambling businesses operated within Minnesota, which conduct gambling for persons not resident of Minnesota. The study shall consider the financial impact on employment, potential costs and benefits to existing gambling industries, and impacts on potential gamblers. The departments of revenue, public safety, Minnesota planning, the lawful gambling control board, and the attorney general shall cooperate with this study."