Without fanfare, the Minnesota Lottery recently launched a new online game called Spicy that brought in 4 in one-dollar tickets on its first day. Based on the classic game tic-tac-toe, players hope to scratch off three 7s in a row to win 7.
Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten said lottery receipts are down 2.8 percent from a year ago, and the new game could attract younger players who are familiar with online gaming. “We look at it more as brand awareness, more of a marketing tool than anything, to introduce our product to a new demographic,” Van Petten said.
The anti-gaming group Citizens Against Gambling Expansion contends state law does not allow the lottery to set up online games and the legislature must approve any new game. Spokesman Jack Meeks said, “When the Minnesota Lottery was written into statute and enacted over 20 years ago, no one could have imagined that technology would advance to where it is now. The lottery’s unilateral decision to become the first state in the country to wade into online scratch-offs without legislative oversight is just further evidence that the lottery is overreaching and proves we need legislation to clearly define what they can and cannot do.” Van Petten counted that state law does allow the new game.
Players may sample a free trial version of Spicy without winning any prizes at://www.mnlottery-ilottery.com/eit/trynow/200. To play for real money, players must fund an account that also can be used to play other lottery games. Only players within Minnesota borders may play online and they are subject to a $50 a week limit.
Also in Minnesota, Canterbury Park and the Leech Lake Bank of Ojibwe recently agreed to a five-year deal to simulcast horseracing at the tribe’s Northern Lights Casino in Walker. As part of the agreement , revenue from the simulcasts will be used to increase live racing purses at Canterbury. If the arrangement is approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Minnesota Racing Commission, it would be the first off-track racing venue in the state.
Leech Lake Chairwoman Carri Jones said, “There is significant interest in live horseracing in Northern Minnesota, so we see a great opportunity to meet customer demand and continue to support our mission of community development.”
