Many people wonder about charitable gambling – how big it is, how much money it generates, what laws govern it, and whether it’s as good for the community as it claims to be.

Sunday, September 05, 1999

Many people wonder about charitable gambling – how big it is, how much money it generates, what laws govern it, and whether it’s as good for the community as it claims to be.

Allied Charities of Minnesota, the state-wide association of charitable gambling groups, will answer those questions and others Wednesday night in Austin.

ACM is sponsoring a charitable gambling informational meeting for all local charitable gambling groups, beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Moose Lodge, 208 South Main St.

King Wilson, ACM’s executive director, will be the featured speaker.

Ken Ayers, Albert Lea, the Region No. 10 ACM director, will convene the meeting.

"All organizations and individuals involved or interested in charitable gambling in the Austin and Albert Lea region should attend this important meeting," said Duane Thompson, ACM’s president.

"They will be getting the most up-to-date information on state and federal changes in charitable gambling and how it is going to effect their organizations in the future," Thompson said.

Topics for discussion include the 1999 Minnesota Legislature’s legislative wrap-up, an update on the Gambling Control Board’s proposed pull-tab manufacturing rules, federal excite tax, the 2000 ACM legislative platform and the ninth annual ACM Lawful Gambling Convention and Expo agenda.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

There are 1,521 licensed non-profit organizations in Minnesota and 3,158 licensed sites. On the average, two sites per organization are in operation.

The state has licensed 1,521 gambling managers. Nine licensed manufactures and 15 licensed distributors work in the industry, which employees 20,000 people.

There are 16 licensed bingo halls in the state.

The meeting is open to the public, local government officials and charitable gambling groups.