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Board allows charitable gambling at Indian Island Winery under existing conditional use permit
Summary
Blue Earth County planning staff and the planning commission found proposed charitable gambling (pull tabs, e-pull tabs and occasional bingo) accessory to the winery’s farm-winery conditional use permit; the board approved the request, subject to state licensing and compliance.
The county board voted May 26 to allow charitable gambling activities at Indian Island Winery under the winery’s existing conditional use permit issued in 2012.
Scott Salisbury of Environmental Resources explained the winery operates under a conditional use permit that limits non-wine retail to 35 percent of gross sales; staff said the winery’s non-wine sales in 2025 were roughly 15 percent, and projected that charitable-gambling activities would not push the operation above the 35 percent cap. Planning staff and the planning commission recommended that a new conditional use permit was not required and that the activity be allowed as accessory to the farm-winery use, subject to the county board’s approval and compliance with state gambling licensing requirements.
Commissioners moved and seconded approval; the motion carried by voice vote. Commissioners praised the winery’s operations and encouraged landowner engagement at planning meetings.
