Minnesota AG targets 14 unlicensed gambling operators

• Minnesota Attorney General issues new cease-and-desist orders to 14 online gambling operators.
• Offshore and sweepstakes sites ordered to halt operations and marketing by December 1.
• Enforcement follows wider US efforts to curb unregulated online gambling activity.

Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison has escalated enforcement against unlicensed gambling operators, issuing a new round of cease-and-desist orders to fourteen online casinos and sportsbooks that continue to target state residents.

The operators must cease activity and confirm compliance by December 1, risking severe penalties if they fail to follow state law.

Strong no to offshore and sweepstakes

The latest enforcement, announced Wednesday (5 November), targets a mix of offshore betting platforms and social sweepstakes casinos, including VG LuckyLand, Zula Casino, Fortune Coins, BetAnySports, BetUs, XBet, BetNow, BetWhale, EveryGame Sportsbook, BetOnline, Slotsandcasino, Bovada, MyBookie.com, and Sportsbetting.com.

Each company faces civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation and the prospect of further legal actions, including injunctions and restitution, if they do not comply with Minnesota’s gambling laws.

Attorney General Ellison’s office differentiates between traditional online gambling sites—which offer sports betting, poker, and other casino-style games—and sweepstakes-style casinos using virtual coin models.

These platforms “blur the line between gaming and gambling,” according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s official statement. The sweepstakes model’s use of virtual currency often confuses consumers about the legality of their activities.

Legal framework and consumer risks

Minnesota law prohibits all forms of online gambling outside specific exemptions, allowing only tribal casinos, horse racing, the state lottery, and charitable games within regulated parameters.

In the official statement, the Attorney General’s orders reference statutes that target both illegal gambling and deceptive trade practices.

“Online platforms offering sportsbooks and casino games run by out-of-state and overseas operators may make it look as though online gambling is legal and safe in Minnesota, but let me be clear: it is not…Trying to rebrand poker chips as virtual currencies does not change the fact that these online gambling operations are unlawful,” commented Keith Ellison, Attorney General.

Consumer advocates warn that such sites lack adequate player protections.

“Illegal online casinos and sweepstakes sites make big promises but deliver only risk to Minnesota consumers. Most are based outside the U.S. to avoid laws, regulation, and enforcement measures. There’s no accountability, no protection for players, and no way to know if the betting will be run fairly,” said Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

National implications and ongoing enforcement

The Minnesota Attorney General’s actions align with efforts by other states, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Washington, where regulators have also issued cease-and-desist letters to many of the same brands for operating in violation of state gambling laws.

Several agencies across the US have increased scrutiny of unregulated gambling activities, particularly those involving sweepstakes or virtual currency models.

Ellison’s office has also joined a coalition of state attorneys general seeking to classify prediction markets as gambling operations, subject to state laws. This reflects a coordinated national push to secure stronger consumer protections and regulatory oversight across the rapidly growing online gaming sector.

Looking ahead

Industry observers expect continued collaboration among states and regulatory bodies as the legal landscape for online gambling evolves. Operators and affiliates are urged to stay informed about local restrictions and compliance obligations to avoid costly enforcement actions and legal risks.

Photo: Minnesota State Capitol Building Dome