The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) has sent letters to Internet service providers Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and others, alerting them that they need not comply with an order to block access to Internet gambling Web sites that was issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED).

iMEGA's letter highlighted the state agency's error applying a federal law - the Wire Act of 1961 (18 USC 1084) - as the basis for issuing an order to block Minnesota residents from freely accessing 200 Web sites included on a "black list" created by DPS/AGED. In addition to a few popular sites, like FullTiltPoker.com and Bodog.com, the list included sites that did not accept business from US residents, and some that were no longer in business.

"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," the letter stated. "In fact, [the Wire Act] simply does not apply to the web site operators and imposes no duty upon you and provides no authority to you to comply with the MN DPS request."

iMEGA sent the letter to the ISPs in hope of persuading them not to block access to the sites by Minnesota residents. "The DPS has issued this order on erroneous legal ground," said Joe Brennan Jr., iMEGA chairman. "We hope that the ISPs will disregard the order, and that DPS will reconsider their actions and the far-reaching effects this kind of Internet censorship would have."

Links
Download: iMEGA Letter to ISPs on Minnesota Blocking Order (.pdf format)