State gambling regulators will hear today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 10 different groups vying for new riverboat gambling licenses. The pitches begin tonight (Tuesday) at five o’clock. First up, folks who want to get a state license for a casino in Palo Alto County — that’s the Emmetsburg area. Tomorrow, another group vying for a license in Palo Alto County will make its presentation. There are three groups competing for a license in Black Hawk County. The rest of the applications come from groups lobbying state regulators for a license to operate a casino in either Fort Dodge, Ottumwa, Washington County, Franklin County or Worth County. Voters in all of those areas passed county-wide referendums which would allow a gambling start-up somewhere in their county. On May 4th, the state Racing and Gaming Commission will hold a public hearing on these proposals. Then, on May 11th, the Commission will vote on which, if any, licenses will be granted.
