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Edina council directs staff to draft charitable‑gambling ordinance after residents press for premise permits
Summary
Following public requests from nonprofit groups, council asked staff to prepare a repeal/replacement of the city's lawful‑gambling ordinance to allow premise permits, proposing an initial limit of three permits, a 3% administrative tax and a 10% net‑proceeds city fund; council requested more outreach before a formal hearing.
Council members directed staff Jan. 20 to return with a formal draft that would repeal and replace Edina’s existing lawful‑gambling code to permit ongoing premise permits under state law.
Clerk Sharon Allison said the current code only allows exempt events and lacks premise permits required by state statute. Staff recommended allowing premise permits for Edina‑based nonprofits, initially capping permits at three to assess demand, requiring 70% of proceeds be spent in the defined trade area, a 3% local gambling tax to cover administrative costs and 10% of net profits to a council‑administered city fund.
Council members discussed public‑engagement options — including an online forum or a formal public hearing — and asked staff to return with a proposed ordinance for first reading and with information on how permits would operate, oversight and reporting procedures. Member Pierce specifically asked for outreach to show the scope of need and how the city would manage permitting workload. The council voted to direct staff to prepare the ordinance for a first reading and consider posting the draft on the city website and the city’s “Better Together” engagement platform for public comment.
No final ordinance was adopted; staff will prepare a formal draft with administrative details for council consideration.
