Dayton Braces For Fight Over Online Lottery Sales

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton says Minnesota's lottery director "has his work cut out for him" to preserve online ticket sales that many lawmakers want to outlaw.

Dayton acknowledged Tuesday that the Legislature will again attempt to bar the most virtual ticket sales and may be able to trump a veto this time. Last session, Dayton scuttled the bill that the House and Senate passed by wide margins, but lawmakers had left town before they could try for an override.

The Democratic governor said then that he thought Lottery Director Ed Van Petten had the authority to set up Internet-based instant-play games. Lawmakers disagreed and also tried to strip the lottery of the ability to sell tickets via gas pumps or ATMs.

Dayton says he opposes far-reaching restrictions that solely limit competition.