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   The Backus American Legion Charitable Gambling partnership with longtime affiliate Willard’s Saloon and Eatery have achieved another successful year of support to local, state, and national causes.  In 2023 we continued our quest to increase our donations and have donated over 1.2 million in our program’s history, while also setting a program high of $124,000 in donations in calendar year 2023.  Eighty-Seven percent (87%) of all donations were provided to entities within the Backus, Pine River, and Hackensack area. 

   The state of Minnesota was by far the largest recipient of the Backus Legion’s Lawful Purpose gambling, collecting $194,890 in Minnesota Tax revenue while Federal taxes were $14,450. Among the highlights to share is a sampling of local donations such as the Pine River-Backus school that received $27,700 in funding and scholarships; $32,750 to the City of Backus for the Fire Department and First Responders and area Food Shelves received $12,000. The donations for Veteran needs were $8,300 and donations for Poverty, Homeless and Disabled were $20,500. The MN Department of Natural Resources received $8,500. Total revenue from all forms of gambling totaled $681,000 in 2023. The total of Lawful Purpose Expenses (LPE) totaled $156,750 while all expenses totaled $351,630 (LPE and Taxes). Overall, our charitable gambling program provided support to fifty-four very worthwhile entities. We also implemented electronic tracking and monitoring of paper pull tab processes to reduce human error and enhance the oversight management of paper pull tab games.

   The MN Gambling Control board reports that FY23 beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023, gross receipts (total sales) totaled $4.6 billion – a record high. This is a 7.5% increase from FY22 and a 48.1% increase from FY21. Minnesota’s lawful gambling gross receipts have increased 275% over the past ten years. Net profit (total sales minus prizes and allowable expenses) totaled $330 million, a 1.5% increase from FY22 and a 231% increase for the past decade. 

   The Backus American Legion and its charitable gambling partner Willards, express our gratitude to the community, our members, customers, and volunteers. We are the venues that provide fun charitable gaming for all to enjoy, while it is our patrons that enable us to deliver positive impacts across our communities. With continued patronage and support, we will once again succeed and meet our established goals and objectives for 2024.

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