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Gambling Control Board approves Exhibit U at brief Jan. 3 special meeting; reporter urges changes to charitable-gambling procedures
Summary
At a Jan. 3 special meeting, the Gambling Control Board approved Exhibit U by voice vote and adjourned. Public commenter Allen Retke of Forum TV asked why a group called Pollard was not included at a prior meeting and urged legislative changes to charitable-gambling rules; the chair declined to disclose past meeting details, saying the board is focused on a renewal process.
The Gambling Control Board met in a special session on Jan. 3, 2026, and approved Exhibit U by voice vote before adjourning. During the public-comment period, reporter Allen Retke of Forum TV questioned why a group called Pollard had not been allowed to appear at a prior meeting and urged the legislature to revise charitable-gambling procedures to give the board and the public more latitude.
Retke identified himself as "Allen Retke in Forum TV in Alexandria, Minnesota" and said he called to ask "why this particular group was not approved at your last meeting" and why "Pollard" had not been part of that meeting so they could speak. He added that the legislature should consider correcting related issues to give "the board as well as the public more freedom when it comes to gambling charitable gambling procedures in Minnesota," according to his comments.
The chair responded that they would not disclose what occurred at the previous meeting, saying "that is between the Gambling Control Board and, we are going through the renewal process today," and moved the agenda forward to consider exhibits. The board encountered audio and phone connection difficulties early in the public-comment period; organizers provided a dial-in number for the caller to join.
When the board took up Exhibit U, the chair said there was a "recommended approval," asked for a motion and a second, called for any discussion and then for a voice vote. Two affirmations were recorded and the chair announced the motion carried and Exhibit U was approved.
The chair announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. and then closed the special meeting after a motion to adjourn passed.
The meeting record does not include a detailed explanation of the prior meeting's decision that Retke referenced, and the transcript contains no elaboration on who or what "Pollard" denotes or what specific statutory changes Retke sought. The board's stated business at this session centered on the renewal process and the Exhibit U approval.
