Senate Enrolled Act 209, sponsored in the Senate by Kyle Walker and in the House by Ethan Manning, and Senate Enrolled Act 108, sponsored by Senator Ron Alting and again in the House by Ethan Manning, are shining examples of achievement in this story. And the leadership and members of the Big Four veteran service organizations – the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the National Guard Association of Indiana – are the advocates who made it happen.
For years, veterans across the state sought an updated and modernized system for charitable gaming at their posts and clubs. The legacy system – paper pull tabs – remains popular and easy-to-use for a generation of veterans and gaming afficionados who enjoy this form of entertainment.
However, there is a new generation of veterans who prefer an on-screen experience. They like the bells and whistles of the digital realm, rather than the analog experience of manually pulling tabs. And with membership numbers struggling across the board, and a deep desire to continue and expand charitable giving in and around their communities, veterans sought out a solution.
The solution, more of a supplement than a replacement, comes in the form of electronic pull tabs, or e-tabs. These devices, both as cabinets or tablets, seamlessly replicate the traditional paper experience in a modern, digital on-screen format. Over in Ohio, since the implementation of e-tabs and the adoption of this technology by veteran and fraternal organizations, revenues have skyrocketed, and membership increased dramatically. Everyone is winning – even those who never set foot in an American Legion or VFW post.
So, it’s safe to say our advocacy to bring e-tabs to Indiana was born of optimism having witnessed the success from our neighbors to the east. But this optimism is about much more than growing our fraternal family with new memberships (if you’re not already a member of your local VSO, think about joining today – you’ll never regret the decision!).
It’s always been about giving back. The revenue generated from paper pull tabs, and soon from e-tabs, goes back into the community in the form of scholarships, donations to local organizations, veteran assistance programs and facility maintenance. This is why veterans from the Big Four came together in a big way with PlayIN for Charity and Arrow International to make a big push for e-tabs.
Hosting information sessions, lunch and learns, meeting with legislators one-on-one and in small groups, these friends and brothers of mine put themselves and their hearts on the field for a cause greater than themselves – yet again.
In the years to come, this story of perseverance and determination will be a case study for the increasing importance of civic engagement and the never-ending value of using our voices in pursuit of good public policy.
I invite you to visit your local VFW, American Legion, DAV or AMVETS Post in the months ahead and give e-tabs a try. As you enjoy a new way to play a familiar game, take a second to thank the veterans who worked for many years to make it happen, all knowing it was for a good cause and the betterment of the communities in which we live and serve.
Richard Leirer is a former VFW State Commander and a member of Post 10003 in Carmel.
