ST. PAUL – State Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, said House Democrat legislation would effectively end electronic pull tabs as we know them, dramatically reducing revenue generated for local charities and other organizations.
Language in the majority’s omnibus tax bill (H.F. 1938) eliminates the “open all” feature that has been in use in electronic pull-tab games for years. This move, Urdahl said, would diminish charitable gaming funds these popular games produce, compromising a critical revenue source for local charities ranging from veteran organizations to youth sports teams, Main Street business partners and beyond.
“A large number of charitable organizations in our area and throughout the state depend on electronic pull tabs as a major source of revenue that allows them to perform their valuable services,” Urdahl said. “It would be a great injustice for our state to undermine their ability to do the good work we all appreciate, especially at a time when they already are working to stretch each dollar amid price increases and other obstacles in this economy.”
Urdahl said, in 2022 alone, electronic pull tabs generated almost $2 billion in revenue that was then invested into communities. Without this critical revenue stream, Urdahl said, much of the charitable efforts Minnesotans currently benefit from would not be possible.
“Beyond the civic groups themselves, establishments throughout our state also rely on electronic pull tabs as a draw for customers,” Urdahl said. “It concerns me how this change would impact our bars, restaurants and other businesses that continue facing challenges of their own on the heels of a pandemic that saw so many lose significant revenue.”
Urdahl said he continues working with House Democrats to remove this provision from the tax bill, but it's critical that legislators hear directly from charities, bars, restaurants, service clubs, and other community organizations so they understand just how serious the consequences would be if this provision is passed.
More information regarding this bill and contact information for legislators can be found at www.house.mn.gov.
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