Fogelman: Bring back old pull tab games

District 21B Rep. Marj Fogelman said in a press release Thursday she supports legislation that would bring back the original electronic pull tabs.

Said Fogelman, a Fulda Republican: “Because Democrat leadership unnecessarily changed electronic pull tabs to make them less interesting, residents are abandoning the games,” Fogelman said. “People have now decided they don’t want to play electronic pull tabs anymore because they’re not as much fun. That means the local groups who rely on the charitable gambling proceeds are going to suffer.”

Fogelman added that electronic pull tab popularity has soared over the past few years, and they have been a godsend for bars and other establishments that offer them. Last year $386 million was generated in net revenue from the gaming devices, and the charitable gaming proceeds from them were distributed to needy organizations in Minnesota communities.

What Fogelman calls "new watered-down electronic pull tabs" became available Jan. 1 after being approved in 2023. She said local veterans’ organizations, such as American Legions and VFW’s, have noticed a dramatic drop in activity, ranging from 20% - 44% statewide.