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Saturday, May 19, 2012

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and our casinos, Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley, take great pride in the jobs, tourism, and economic vitality we bring to East Central Minnesota.

For many years, the state has considered gaming expansion as a way to raise revenue for the state. Again during the 2012 session, gaming expansion was a hot topic at the Minnesota Capitol -- this time to fund things like the state's portion of a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

The 2012 Minnesota legislative session passed a bill to fund the state's $348 million portion of the $975 million Vikings stadium. The funding will primarily come from an expansion in charitable gaming -- specifically electronic pull tabs and electronic linked bingo.

Proponents of the plan estimate more than $500 million annually in wagers above and beyond existing charitable gaming -- an amount that many are skeptical of. Based on this assumption, the state will collect $57.9 million in new tax revenues per year starting in fiscal year 2014 (which starts July 1, 2013). If the state is unable to collect that amount, backup funding is slated to come from a 10% surcharge on stadium suites and a sports-themed scratch-off game through the Minnesota Lottery.

Although the Legislature won't reconvene until 2013, we will provide pertinent news here in the months ahead.

In the meantime, please join us in supporting the economic benefits of Grand Casinos and protecting a strong East Central Minnesota. Sign up here to receive updates on the status of gaming expansion discussions.

Mii gwech (thank you)!