Representatives of the Edina Education Fund and the Edina Athletic Boosters asked the Edina City Council on Nov. 18 to revise local rules to allow charitable gaming, including pull tabs, arguing the change would help schools, sports teams and other nonprofits raise unrestricted operating funds.

Kathy Rendelman, executive director of the Edina Education Fund, and Kurt Lang of the Edina Athletic Boosters presented with data that, they said, shows other metro cities generate significant charitable-gaming revenue that benefits youth programming. "This is a win for all stakeholders," Bob Mohawk, a volunteer with the groups, said, arguing that pull tabs substantially fund sports associations and other nonprofits around Minnesota.

Rendelman told the council her group could act as fiscal sponsor for clubs that cannot run charitable-gaming activities themselves, and estimated even modest proceeds would meaningfully expand grantmaking and student support. Lang emphasized competitive equity: "We don't have access to the kind of money the cities around us have," he said.

City Manager Andrew Veil and staff told the council the administration prefers to replace the existing ordinance rather than issue exemptions for particular organizations. "It's much preferable to replace the ordinance than it is just to offer exemptions," Veil said, and staff asked for council direction to devote legal and administrative resources to draft a model ordinance for review.

Council members asked about regulatory models used in Minnetonka and Wayzata and raised questions about eligibility, oversight and demographics of participants. The presenters acknowledged that demographic data on who plays pull tabs is limited and offered to research participation patterns. Several council members suggested limiting charitable gaming to eligible nonprofits and identifying controls to ensure proceeds benefit Edina organizations.

The council did not vote on a change Nov. 18 but directed staff to prepare draft ordinance language and return with options for public review and hearings. If the council moves forward, any new code will have to align with Minnesota Gambling Control Board rules and state law that governs charitable gaming.

Next steps: staff will draft an ordinance and return to council for review and public hearings.