Paper Pulltabs Show Enduring Popularity in Minnesota

ST. PAUL (AP) - The slow start so far for electronic pulltab games that are supposed to help fund a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is showing a divide between manufacturers of the new games and suppliers of the traditional paper pull-tabs.

The new electronic games have proven popular at a handful of bars, like Porky's in St. Paul. Patrons bet more than $86,000 on the games in February.

But at another St. Paul bar, the Wild Onion, the machines took in just $550 in February. So far, the machines are only available in about 200 bars statewide out of 2,500 the state expected them to be in.

Sellers of the electronic games say it's a cultural change for some players, and that some of the charities that operate the games are loyal to longtime paper suppliers.