Legislation

MPR: Another bid for more non-Indian gaming in Minnesota

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

"A virtual reboot of one of Minnesota's best-known gambling traditions is getting renewed interest as a funding source for a Vikings stadium.

Backers say electronic pull-tabs could also help boost the hospitality industry and revive charitable gaming. But opponents say it's a dangerous experiment in making gambling easy.

If the Vikings win a new stadium, O'Gara's bar in St. Paul might be where they cross the financial goal line.

Owner Dan O'Gara is one of the state's staunchest backers of a plan to literally power up bar gambling and send tens of millions of dollars to the state. He and other bar owners want legal clearance to put electronic pull-tabs and Internet bingo in nearly 2,900 Minnesota bars.

Tribal casinos expect electronic pull-tabs to cut into their business, but not as much as a Minneapolis casino or slots at horse tracks, said John McCarthy executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which represents the state's 18 tribal-run casinos.

"We're not supporting it, obviously. We're not supporting any expansion, but this one, of all the proposals, I guess, was the most innocuous," he said. "

Get the Story:
Some stadium backers want to expand pull-tab gaming (Minnesota Public Radio 11/2)

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