House committee approves electronic pull tabs for veterans and fraternal organizations

The House Public Policy Committee voted 12-0 to pass Senate Bill 209 as amended, a bill that would authorize bona fide veterans and fraternal organizations that hold an Indiana charitable gaming license to offer electronic pull tabs at a single fixed location.

The amendment narrows the bill to veterans and fraternal organizations, requires organizations to have existed for five years (or to obtain a charity gaming license), and caps device counts to 3, 5, or 7 depending on occupancy. Senator Kyle Walker, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure “modernizes the charitable gaming allowed by bona fide veterans and fraternal organizations” while maintaining protections drawn from prior legislation.

Supporters told the committee the change would help aging veterans’ posts raise funds and recruit new members. Mark Golligan, who identified himself as a past state commander of the American Legion Department of Indiana, said the bill would let posts “replicate the familiar experience of revealing a symbol or numbers to determine if a player has won a prize” on electronic devices and help generate revenue for veterans’ services. Multiple speakers from the VFW, the American Legion and local posts described using charitable-gaming proceeds for veteran housing, emergency aid and community programs.

The amendment keeps several operational safeguards: devices must replicate the manual pull-tab reveal with manual activation of each play line; each game series must have a unique serial number and a finite set of winning and losing tickets; devices may accept only U.S. currency or credit vouchers and may not dispense cash; and the bill preserves the existing 10% excise tax rate applied to paper pull tabs. The Indiana Gaming Commission will retain approval authority over device types and will update forms and compliance processes, committee members heard.

Industry witnesses were split. Lancaster Bingo and equipment vendors said electronic devices simply change the medium but preserve the game’s finite-ticket structure, lowering operating costs and improving security. Bill Breslow of Diamond Games recommended tablets specifically, saying tablets are less expensive and complementary to paper pull-tab sales. The Casino Association of Indiana opposed the bill, warning that distributed gaming will expand over time beyond the limits currently contemplated.

Representative Peggy Mayfield and Representative Steve Bartels asked that devices consider ADA accessibility and that at least one tablet be passable for patrons with disabilities; Bartels praised leaving tablet and cabinet options in the bill. The committee adopted a small wording change clarifying that organizations must have existed for five years or “obtain” a charity gaming license to qualify.

The committee motion to pass the bill as amended carried on a roll call with the following yes votes: Chairman Ethan Manning; Representatives Peggy Mayfield, Steve Bartels, (Representative) Cleer, (Representative) Bridal, (Representative) Lehman, Jim Lucas, Schonk Wyler, Van Natter, Moet, Johnson and Kyle Miller (12 yes, 0 no). The bill now moves on for further House consideration.

Opponents and proponents agreed the bill’s narrow approach and device limits were intended to limit proliferation. Supporters emphasized the expected local charitable impact, citing examples such as post-funded ramps for disabled veterans, housing assistance, memorial honors details, scholarships and donations to local nonprofits.

Committee members said the Indiana Gaming Commission will implement technical compliance measures and forms. The committee also retained language that requires organizations continuing to offer paper pull tabs alongside electronic options.