Electronic pulltabs are on pace to pull in only half of their projected revenue, Fox 9 reports. So far, the high-tech games have generated $1.9 million – well below the projected $17 million.
E-pulltabs arrived in Minnesota about six months ago to help fund the state’s $348 million portion of the new Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
“I think the projections were just too high, which is unfortunate because we are judging success or failure on them,” Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, chair of the House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, told the Star Tribune.
State budget officials say only 130 sites were offering games as of Feb. 1 — nowhere near the goal of 900 locations, according to the Associated Press.
Minnesota Public Radio says Gov. Mark Dayton expects significant improvement by this time next year.
However, some state leaders are already looking at other ways to cover the state’s share of the new stadium.
Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, planned to introduce legislation on Thursday allowing slot machines at horse tracks in order to boost state revenue.
Electronic bingo games could also make their debut at bars and restaurants in March.
