Charitable Gambling Up In Minnesota [POLL]

ST. PAUL (AP) - Charitable gambling appears to be rebounding in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Gambling Control Board says pulltabs, bingo and other forms of charitable gambling is up 8.6 percent this fiscal year, the biggest percentage increase in more than 20 years. Gross receipts are expected to top $1 billion.

Allied Charities of Minnesota represents the nearly 1,200 nonprofit groups running charitable gambling operations in the state.  Allied's executive director, Al Lund, says it's clear the economy has rebounded and people are willing to donate to their local charities.

Lund says young people are fueling a resurgence of bar bingo. He says more than 90 percent of statewide charitable gambling revenue comes from pulltabs.