For local posts, even modest weekly revenue is making a noticeable difference.
At VFW Post 1114 in Evansville, Commander Jerry Blake said the machines are bringing in about $2,500 per week.
“That may not sound like a lot of money to some people, but for a small post like us, it means a lot,” Blake told Inside INdiana Business.
Blake said the funds have directly supported around 40 local veterans, helping cover expenses such as utility bills, home repairs and transportation. He added that the added revenue has brought stability to organizations that were at risk of shutting down.
“Now with these machines … they’re flourishing, and they’re able to help veterans and keep their doors open,” he said.
Paper pull tabs have long been a staple at organizations like the VFW and American Legion. A 2025 law allowed those groups to operate electronic versions, enabling them to modernize operations and generate additional revenue for charitable efforts.
Many veteran organizations have struggled in recent years with declining membership and aging populations. Blake said e-tabs are helping reverse that trend by generating income and attracting new visitors.
Republican State Sen. Kyle Walker of Lawrence, who authored the 2025 legislation, said the goal was to modernize an existing form of charitable gaming and make it more accessible.
“Part of the benefit … is that it attracts a younger clientele, which those organizations have struggled with in recent years,” Walker said.
That shift is already being felt at the local level. Blake said new visitors, many of whom had never stepped inside before, are now coming through the doors.
The Indiana Gaming Commission maintains real-time access to data from most e-tab distributors and requires regular financial reporting from participating organizations. The three primary distributors are Grover Gaming, Arrow International Inc., and J&J Gaming, with Arrow accounting for the majority of activity.
At Blake’s post, the organization partnered with Arrow under a long-term agreement. He said the structure allows the post to retain all proceeds for most of the first year, followed by a revenue-sharing model in later years.
“I wish we had this five years ago,” he said. “We could have helped a lot more veterans.”
While early numbers are strong, state officials say it’s too soon to fully assess long-term impact.
“We’ve only had a short run of three months,” Walker said. “Once these have been in place for six to 12 months, then we’ll have a better, or a fuller picture of the impact.”
According to Indiana Gaming Commission spokesperson Stephanie McFarland, long-term e-tab success is defined as “generating sustainable revenue that helps organizations remain operational and fulfill their missions.”
But with any expansion of gambling, concerns about addiction remain.
Walker said the legislation includes safeguards such as required signage with gambling addiction resources and strict regulatory oversight.
Blake said local leaders are also monitoring patrons’ behavior.
“We watch out for our veterans and for anybody that’s coming into our post,” he said, referring to regular customers who may be spending heavily.
For Indiana residents struggling with gambling, help is available through the Indiana Gambling Hotline by visiting its website or calling the hotline at 1-800-994-8448.
