Multi-line games first approved by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board in September 2012 incorporated both the so-called “open-all” feature and bonus features.
These damaging provisions were slipped into the House tax bill without a hearing, a vote, or a fiscal note, which is “an official estimate of the fiscal effects that would be caused by the enactment of a bill.” Paul voted for drastic changes to e-pull tabs without input from Minnesota's charities, businesses, or restaurants in an apparent attempt to satisfy their political patrons, the state’s powerful tribal-casino lobby. The bars, restaurants, and veterans’ clubs that administer e-pull tab games also use the proceeds to pay staff and business expenses. State charities collected $270 million via e-pull tabs last year alone. Since 2013, local charitable organizations have benefited from e-pull tab proceeds to deliver essential funding for nonprofits offering disability services, food shelves, veterans' services, volunteer fire departments, and youth sports.
Electronic pull tabs are a uniquely Minnesotan success story.
