Legislature Preparing To Vote On State Lottery Restrictions

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are preparing to vote on a bill suspending Internet-based state lottery tickets.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said Tuesday he'd hold the vote soon, and House Speaker Kurt Daudt said he expected his chamber would do the same. The bill has bipartisan backing, but Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed a version last year.

Lawmakers also want to bar the lottery from selling instant-win tickets via gas pumps or ATMs.

Bill supporters say the lottery has overreached. Lottery defenders argue the operation is modernizing to fulfill its mission to raise money for environmental programs and the state's general budget.

Dayton says there haven't been productive efforts to reach an accord. He wouldn't say Tuesday if he'll let the bill become law or block it, which could attract an override attempt.

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