Session Daily: Bigger prize pools

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Gambling

Bigger prize pools

Bingo prize money could be pooled together by several locations for a live electronic game statewide with a jackpot as high as $8,000 to $9,000, under a bill approved March 26 by the House Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee.

Sponsored by Rep. Tony Kielkucki (R-Lester Prairie), HF734 now goes to the House State Government Finance Committee.

King Wilson, executive director of Allied Charities of Minnesota, said the plan is "very similar to Powerball." The idea is to have 30 places across the state contribute $300 to a single pool, and have a live feed to each hall as the bingo game is conducted. Current state law caps a bingo payout at $300.

A Senate companion (SF666), sponsored by Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL-Tracy), is awaiting action in the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee.