(VIDEO) Would Electronic Pulltabs Hurt Hopkins?

The most recent proposal to build a new Vikings stadium would rely on gambling proceeds from electronic pulltabs to pay off the state’s bonding costs. 

already has traditional paper pulltabs in its bars. But during a discussion Tuesday with Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) and Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 44A), council members questioned what the move to electronic gaming would mean for the city.

Mayor Gene Maxwell wondered whether it would hurt charities that rely on it. Latz said the idea is that electronic devices would lead to greater use of pulltabs—resulting in more money for both the charities and the state, which already gets a cut of charitable gaming.

Councilwoman Cheryl Youakim added that she thinks cities should retain local control over pulltabs and where pulltabs are available and how many can be sold.

The legislators didn’t respond to Youakim’s comments. But in an interview in February, Latz said he was against letting cities create more-stringent pulltab ordinances.

“You start getting a patchwork of regulations across the state, it becomes more difficult to enforce,” he said.

While Hopkins’ lawmakers are skeptical about the stadium proposal, Latz is . In the February interview, he said he sees electronic pulltabs as just a natural extension of where technology is going.

“There’s a big surprise. We’ve replaced paper calendars with electronic calendars,” he said. “I don’t have any big problem with them. I’ve actually been supportive the concept of this for 25 years.”