A bill involving electronic pull-tabs and electronic bingo games is back before lawmakers this session. The popular games in bars and restaurants benefit local charities and youth sports.
But some lawmakers say revenues are down drastically since a 2023 law removed certain games. That came after a court ruling said they were too similar to those only allowed at tribal casinos.
State Representative Bjorn Olson (R- Fairmont) says communities have suffered ever since that happened.
"You're talking about radios to fire stations," says Olson. "You're talking about sporting events that other kids wouldn't be able to afford because their parents maybe don't have that money. You're talking about veterans organizations that are supporting our soldiers, supporting our veterans who are committing suicide at a rate of 22 a day in the United States."
In 2023, that original legislation placed restrictions on the types of features that could be contained on electronic bingo and electronic pull-tab devices and games. These restrictions included a prohibition on features that mimic video slot machines, such as free plays, bonus games, and the “open-all feature.”
Olson's bill would remove the restrictions put in place two years ago.
1- Electronic bingo device. Removes the requirement that electronic bingo devices must not contain spinning reels and other features that mimic a video slot machine including free plays, bonus games, bonus screens, and other features that are triggered after the initial row of symbols are revealed displaying the results of the game.
2- Electronic pull-tab device. Removes the requirement that a player must individually activate or open each row, line, or column of each ticket. Removes the requirement that electronic pull-tab devices must not contain spinning reels and other features that mimic a video slot machine including free plays, bonus games, bonus screens, and other features that are triggered after the initial row of symbols are revealed displaying the results of the game.
3- Electronic pull-tab game. Removes the requirement that electronic pull-tab games must not contain free plays, bonus games, bonus screens, and other features that are triggered after the initial row of symbols are revealed displaying the results of the game. Removes the requirement that a player manually activate each ticket and each row of the ticket with separate and distinct actions.