MINNESOTA MOVES TO BLOCK ONLINE GAMBLING SITES

In a move already taken by several other states Minnesota seems hell-bent on trying to force ISPs to block web sites. Up until now, however, all such attempts have failed once the courts have had their say. Once again it seems that the courts will have to make a decision on ISP blocking as a trade group has sued the director of the state's Department of Public Safety's Alcohol and gambling Enforcement division to stop the ban. The group argues that the Department does not have the authority to initiate such a ban that would ultimately make gambling online an impossibility in Minnesota.

In the meantime, Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, one of online gambling staunchest supporters, has again introduced legislation that would effectively legalize and regulate online gambling in the US. His current move is an echo of all his previous attempt, that have failed up until now. If passed, the proposed legislation would allow American citizens to gamble online in a regulated environment where they receive protection from the law and where gambling websites would face stricter regulation. This would be preferable to the current situation where online gamblers have little or no protection. Barney Frank also says he'll introduce separate legislation that will stop the enforcement of the UIGEA, that has bullied banks into not processing any transactions that fund online gambling. The situation is, as ever, legally a grey area that awaits clarification from a court decision.