Charitable gambling facing challenges

Published 12:00pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
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Charitable gambling, a big part of non-profit clubs and organizations in Otter Tail County and across the state, are struggling. A sluggish economy is only one factor contributing to their challenges.

With this in mind, Allied Charities of Minnesota (ACM), the statewide organization of charitable gambling groups.

Tom Burau of Fergus Falls, a volunteer with ACM who represents Otter Tail County and Region 1 on the ACM board of directors, said increasing expenses, burdensome state taxation and the demands of state regulation also make it are more difficult for non-profits to bring in money. Those funds are donated to charitable organizations and other community projects.

“In prior months, non-profit organizations have contended with the effects of a statewide smoking ban, plus a bad economy,” Burau said. “A charitable gambling study was mandated by the 2008 Minnesota State Legislature.”

Dick Horn, president of ACM, said the charitable gambling study mandated by the legislature hopefully will present an opportunity for some relief for community organizations.

Region One includes Otter Tail, Wilkin, Wadena and counties to the north.

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