Minnesota Lawmakers To Inspect Lagging Stadium Funds

ST. PAUL  (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers who approved new forms of gambling in bars to help pay for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium are getting their first chance to scrutinize lagging revenues from that plan.

The House Commerce Committee holds a Wednesday afternoon hearing on the recent rollout of electronic pull tab games. Tax revenue from those games is funding the state's $348 million share of the $975 million Vikings stadium that will be built in downtown Minneapolis starting later this year.

But that revenue has fallen short so far. It was projected to be $34 million in 2012 but ended up at only $16 million. Backers have acknowledged disappointment, but say that the games need time to grow in popularity and to be available at more businesses.

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