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Gambling Control Board: April receipts down 4.5%; website redesign set for July 1; routine approvals
Summary
Board heard a director—s report noting April charitable gambling gross receipts of $408,000,000 (down 4.5% year over year), an agency website planned for July 1, staffing and budget updates, public comment urging faster data release, and routine approvals of multiple exhibits and a license application.
The Gambling Control Board on June 16 heard a director—s report showing April charitable gambling gross receipts of $408,000,000, a 4.5% decrease from April 2024, and was told that the agency—s redesigned website is scheduled to go live July 1.
The director reported that eTap sales for May were $210,000,000 and said year-to-date gross receipts through April are slightly under $4.1 billion compared with just over $4.1 billion at the same point last year. The director said the agency expects to finish the year roughly 10% below its appropriation, which she described as "about normal" for the smaller agency, and that the legislature approved the requested appropriation level for the next biennium. The agency has one vacant position that has been open since about February; staff said the position description will be revised for a communications specialist but that contract negotiations affect the timing of a posting.
On outreach, the director said staff recently presented in St. Cloud on June 6 and has additional presentations scheduled, and that staff have spent about 18 months redesigning the website to surface commonly sought information and grouping common topics to improve usability. "So bear with us when that goes live, July 1," the director said.
During public comment, Alan Repke of Alexandria Informed TV urged the board to accelerate release of monthly club data and to make organizational summaries available earlier. Repke asked that data be submitted by the 15th of each month so meeting materials reflect current information and suggested separating public-comment segments into distinct links for easier viewing. He said, "what I want you to do as the clubs no longer than, no later than the fifteenth of each month, they get their data in rather than by the twentieth" and asked the board to request the auditor to publish organizational summaries by Aug. 15.
Assistant Attorney General Leah Hedman replied during public comment that members of the public should submit written requests but reminded the board and staff that they cannot act as a "private secretary" or advance any particular point of view using taxpayer resources: "because we're funded by taxpayer dollars, it wouldn't be appropriate for the board or staff to undertake the advancement of any particular mind, point or, point of view."
Votes at a glance (routine approvals): - Approval of meeting agenda (motion passed). - Approval of minutes from the May 19, 2025 meeting (motion passed). - Exhibit A: transfer of gambling funds to an organization account — approved. - Exhibit C: property and capital asset expenditure requests — approved. - Exhibit I: exclusive-use funds for LPE — approved. - Exhibit K: contribution of gambling funds to another licensed gambling organization — approved. - Exhibit M: fund-loss request for profit carryover adjustment — approved. - Exhibit N: fund-loss request (recommended denial) — denied. - Exhibit S: game approvals (various game names) — approved. - Exhibit U2: application for a distributor license/renewal/transfer of electronic games — approved.
The board also discussed education and outreach priorities, including possible classes beyond licensed-holder training, and said staff will highlight positive club activities when they appear in review materials. The chair announced the next meeting for July 21 at 10 a.m.
