Director Wade: gambling receipts up 6.85% year-to-date; legislature raises merchandise prize cap

Director Leah Wade opened the board's industry update on May 18 with a summary of statewide charitable-gambling activity and agency staffing and rulemaking plans.

"Year to date, gross receipts are up 6.85% over fiscal year 25. We're at $3,926,000,000 for the year," Wade said, adding that March 2026 receipts were up 10.33% over March 2025. She attributed the change to current reporting and said the board will circulate communications to organizations about what to expect from legislative changes.

Wade said language in the Commerce omnibus bill affecting paddle wheels and meat-raffle prize limits passed the previous night. "The maximum value for merchandise prize was increased from $70 to $200. The cash prize is still at $70," she said, explaining the change was primarily to adjust for higher meat costs when organizations award meat as a prize.

On staffing, Wade said the board filled its enforcement manager position with Dan McDonald, who joined the board's staff in 2023 and had been serving as an investigator and electronic-game specialist. She also said one licensing position remains open with location to be determined.

Wade told members to expect a rules package next month that will be presented for a notice-of-intent-to-adopt vote, with copies provided in advance. She also noted there are two open board positions accepting applications through the Secretary of State, and that an appointment (Mr. Sandin) is up June 30.

Public comment raised transparency and payout-rate questions; the board said it would consider those suggestions.