Kevin, I guess I'd consider it a tax because it is a tax. Yes, gambling is optional, but if that's your reasoning no vice taxes are actually taxes. But, I think the easiest way to tell that it's a tad is that revenue is being collected that's fungible with tad revenue. In fact, that's exactly what's happening with the stadium with Minneapolis using sales taxes while the state used gambling taxes.

@Mark, if it takes three dollars to create one that actually goes toward the charitable cause, perhaps there are more efficient ways to generate revenue? Do people, who think their money is going to a good cause, realize that only 1/3 of it makes it to their cause (and, it sounds like that's 1/3 of the share of losses that goes to the charity, so far less than 1/3 of the gross losses).

I happened to attend an empty bowls fundraiser tonight for a charity. The soups were donated by...

Are Vikings fans going to stop eating, drinking, or finding ways to entertain themselves on 10 Sundays per year if the team leaves? That's what it would take to make the numbers above make sense. I have a hunch that most Vikings fans would find other ways to spend their dining and entertainment dollars in the state, so the true net loss if far lower than Home Team Advantage would like you to believe.

@Connie, Cory lives in Shakopee.