The Associated Press
Sample electronic pull-tab device
ROSEVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota gambling regulators have approved guidelines for new electronic gambling devices that will help offset debt on a new Vikings football stadium.
The unanimous vote Monday by the Gambling Control Board lets makers of the hand-held devices begin designing them for use in Minnesota bars and restaurants. The stadium law authorized the introduction of electronic pull-tabs and linked bingo games to be sold alongside paper gambling now run by charities.
Some distributors of the paper games wanted the board to go through a more intense rulemaking process that could have taken several more months.
The board also approved the license of Las Vegas-based Acres 4.0, a manufacturer that hopes to have its pull-tab games on iPads ready for use in Minnesota by fall.
Tom Barrett, executive director of the board, said the next step will be to educate the industry about the changes.
"There's going to be some changes affecting them but everything we've seen so far, improved efficiencies, improved regulation, and improves how we play the game," he said.
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