IMEGA Takes Minnesota Internet Gambling Order to Court
Yesterday, the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association filed a lawsuit before the US District Court in Minneapolis seeking removal of a state order blocking online gambling websites. The command from the Minnesota Alcohol and Gaming Enforcement Division to eleven Internet service providers to filter 200 online casinos from residents is contested as a violation of First Amendment rights.Lawyers for iMEGA say that Minnesota does not have the authority to force ISPs to censor gaming sites. Representatives from iMEGA also contacted the ISPs to inform them the state was misusing the Federal Wire Act and that they should not consider themselves bound to the order.
“Because website operators are not subscribers of yours, have no contracts with you and are not provided facilities by you, you should be aware the the MN DPS is attempting to mislead (either intentionally or inadvertently) you into believing that you are bound by federal law to do what the MN DPS asks,” iMEGA quotes the message as saying on its website.
“Censoring Internet access for Minnesota residents would establish a troubling precedent of government intrusion into the online world, and we just can’t allow that to happen,” said iMEGA chairman Joe Brennan, Jr.
While official comments have not been forthcoming, insiders say the ISPs are leaning toward disregarding the order, pending any further legal developments. Minnesota seems to have limited alternatives other than dropping the order or simply letting it fade away, unaddressed.
