Last week marked the end of the 2023 MN Legislative session and there’s no shortage of controversy when it comes to the laws that were passed. Because I follow government very closely, I have many personal opinions on the work of the 2023 legislature.

But one issue that will perhaps have the biggest impact on our communities is the new legislation aimed squarely at the electronic pull tab industry in Minnesota.

A little history lesson tells us that “e-tabs” were legalized in 2012 as a funding mechanism for what was to become US Bank Stadium.  Profits from the new gambling revenue source were supposed to pay off the State of MN’s bonds in 30 years — it took only 10 years as payments topped $348 million per year.  There was also a portion of the funds that allowed local charities to increase their sales and in turn their donations to local groups.  This translated into well over a hundred million dollars that helped fund activities from little league to many services and programs for our Veterans.

What an incredible coincidence that earlier this year it was announced that the stadium was paid off 20 years early and now there are sweeping changes implemented to the e-tabs.

Starting in August, no new games can be introduced that feature “open all” features and second chance provisions are also eliminated.  Starting in 2024, all existing games with these features will also be illegal.

I’ve played e-tabs exactly once in my life and was not a huge fan, but apparently Minnesotans really love these games.  

Last year, there was over $2 billion in game sales in our state and the electronic versions now surpass total sales for the old fashioned cardboard tabs.

So what does this all mean locally?

One needs to look no further than our local community and the wonderful Becker Lions club for clues as to what could happen next.  They operate charitable gambling at both Beck’s Pub and the Pebble Creek Country Club.

Last year, the Lions donated approximately $195,000 to local groups and a full 71% of these funds were derived from electronic pull-tabs, according to club Associate Gambling Manager Steve Rosa.

Rosa told me that he is sure the new law will affect his group’s ability to generate funds, but the full extent isn’t known at this time.  “We are still assessing the impact and will evaluate our ability to donate to the community,” Rosa told me.

That’s less funding for families and individuals battling cancer, the robotics team and basically every youth, senior, Veteran and charitable activity happening in our community.  If one were to take a look at the Lions’ donation list, it pretty much touches everything in Becker and the surrounding areas.

Amazing how the City of Minneapolis and billionaire owners of a professional sports team benefitted for 10 years from people across Minnesota playing e-tabs and now that the tab is paid off early, the spigot of funds is being dramatically reduced.

History tells me that most voters will probably forget about it by the 2024 elections, but the coaches, organizers and participants in these activities will surely remember every time one of their donation requests go unfilled or a Veteran cannot afford his or her prescription.