Electronic Pulltabs Off to Strong Start in MN

ROSEVILLE (AP) -- Minnesota's electronic pulltab games are off to a strong start.

The number of bars and restaurants offering video pulltab gambling jumped from five to 40 over the past month. Taxes from the games, operated by Minnesota's charitable gambling groups, are intended to help pay for a $975 million Vikings stadium.

Jon Weaver, who heads distributor Express Games of Minneapolis, says his company opened five sites Monday night, and will open another 20 this week. Weaver says another 100 are on the waiting list.

Weaver was among those attending the Minnesota Gambling Control Board's meeting Tuesday. The board was expected to approve several more games, but that was postponed until November.

A few glitches are reported as the games are introduced at bars and restaurants across Minnesota.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)