What exactly did the Council legalize?

(And other important questions)

Announcement that Edina City Council voted 4-1 to legalize certain forms of gambling to support children without involving families, showing examples of pulltabs, electronic games, tipboards, and a paddlewheel.

FAQs

  • No. Signing the Open Letter signals support for further public discussion. This effort is about process—ensuring the community has a voice before moving forward on an issue that has meaningful impact on Edina families.

  • Discussions were held in public meetings, but the City Council chose not to hold a public hearing—a standard process used to invite community feedback on significant decisions.

    A similar gap existed on the school side. The ordinance to legalize gambling was proposed by two EPS-affiliated organizations, describing themselves as representatives of “all EPS students and staff across all 10 buildings, every classroom, all clubs, all activities, and every sport.”

    However, EPS did not inform families before the ordinance was proposed or before the vote. This is notable given the district’s regular communication with parents, including a weekly newsletter and a survey sent during the same time period about a potential new messaging app.

  • Passed by a 4-1 vote, the ordinance allows for multiple forms of gambling, including:

    • Electronic Games: Digital, slot-style games played on a tablet

    • Paper Pulltabs: Traditional paper-based games

    • Tipboards: A game in which winnings are tied to the outcome of a professional sporting event

    • Paddlewheel: a Roulette-type game

    The ordinance permits gambling in up to six Edina restaurants, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. The specific restaurants and nonprofit partners haven’t been identified, but the Council made it clear that the goal is to generate funds for EPS students.

    Unfortunately, the discussion leading up to the vote suggested a misunderstanding of the ordinance’s scope. There was a direct acknowledgment that some Councilmembers didn’t understand which forms of gambling were being legalized.

    When questions arose about whether gambling could be limited to paper pull-tabs, Councilmembers were advised that such a distinction wasn’t permitted under state law—in reality, different forms of gambling can be treated separately.

    This lack of clarity underscores the importance of reaching a shared understanding of what’s being introduced into our community—before moving forward.

    Click to view the recording. Click to read the Sun Current article.

  • The Open Letter isn’t a request to reverse course. It’s a request to pause and give this issue the time it deserves. Questions worthy of broader discussion include:

    1. What specific community needs are currently unmet, and how would gambling address them?

    2. Who is most likely to participate in gambling, and how should that inform how we think about its impact?

    3. What forms of gambling are allowed, and should there be limits on some types?

    4. How will impact be assessed and revisited over time?

    5. Which restaurants should be allowed to participate, and how many locations should be permitted?

  • Yes. Gambling can generate revenue for local nonprofits and restaurants. This Open Letter isn’t meant to dismiss those benefits, but to acknowledge that the Council’s discussion on the topic was incomplete. This is a complex issue, and because families weren’t engaged, there was limited opportunity to consider the issue in full.

Sign the Letter