lottogopher.jpgTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ LottoGopher is gone from Florida. Last month, the Beverly Hills, Calif., company began offering to place bets for Floridians on the biweekly, multi-state Powerball drawing for a nominal fee through its Internet website.

 

On Monday, LottoGopher CEO James Morel says the company halted business in Florida over the weekend. That was after the state on Friday sought a court order that would have forced LottoGopher to stop purchasing and redeeming Powerball tickets on behalf of Floridians.

State officials say it's against the law to charge a fee for redeeming a winning ticket.

Morel said he doesn't dispute the law and won't contest the state's civil complaint.

Lottery Secretary Cynthia O'Connell said Floridians shouldn't be charged to pay for something they already get for free.