Edina, Minnesota Considers Legalizing Pulltabs

City may allow charitable gambling to benefit local nonprofits like the Edina Education Fund

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Edina, one of the last Twin Cities suburbs to prohibit charitable gambling, is considering legalizing pulltabs at local bars. This move could provide a new revenue stream for nonprofits like the Edina Education Fund, which says the change would allow them to bring more resources to students and staff. Some business owners have also expressed interest, noting that customers currently leave the city to play pulltabs elsewhere.

Why it matters

Edina's prohibition on charitable gambling has left it as an outlier in the region, with residents and businesses missing out on the benefits that pulltabs can provide to local nonprofits. Legalizing the popular bar game could boost funding for education and other community programs.

The details

Edina is one of the last suburbs in the Twin Cities area that does not allow charitable gambling, including pulltabs at bars. The city is now considering changing this law, which could provide a new revenue stream for nonprofits like the Edina Education Fund. The fund's executive director says the additional funding would allow them to 'bring more to our kids and our staff members'. Some Edina business owners have also expressed interest in the change, noting that customers currently leave the city to play pulltabs in neighboring communities.

  • Edina has prohibited charitable gambling, including pulltabs, for many years.
  • The city is currently considering changing the law to allow pulltabs at local bars.

The players

Edina Education Fund

A nonprofit organization that supports education programs in Edina, Minnesota.

Kathy Rendleman

The executive director of the Edina Education Fund.

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What they’re saying

“This is a stream of revenue that would allow us to bring more to our kids and our staff members. And I do think our businesses are craving this. I've spoken with business owners in Edina who say customers walk out at 6 p.m. and head across the border to play pulltabs.”

— Kathy Rendleman, Executive Director, Edina Education Fund

What’s next

The Edina City Council is expected to vote on the proposal to legalize pulltabs in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Edina's move to legalize pulltabs could provide a much-needed funding boost for local nonprofits like the Edina Education Fund, while also keeping business and tax revenue within the city's borders.