Vegas vendor bets on electronic pulltabs

A Las Vegas gambling equipment maker says he hopes to win approval soon of an electronic pulltab system that could help pay for a new Vikings stadium.

John Acres has applied to be an electronic pulltab vendor. On Monday, the Minnesota Gambling Control Board will meet to consider applications.

Acres says his games would use a computer server in the Twin Cities. Bar and restaurant customers would use iPads to play the games. Acres says the technology makes it easy for charities to operate.

"We understand that unlike a traditional casino, charities exist first and foremost to serve their charitable cause," Acres says. "And the games cannot be complex, they cannot be expensive, and they cannot be difficult to maintain. We believe that we've developed a technology that removes all those issues."

Acres says his company could roll out the games as soon as October. The electronic pulltab games are expected to help provide nearly $350 million toward a new stadium.