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Harrah’s offers $7 million per year if state ends greyound racing

by O. Kay Henderson on March 17, 2010

in Business & Economy, Economy, Legislature, Politics & Government

James Carney, Harrah’s statehouse lobbyist; A.J. Baker, Harrah’s regional vice president of government relations; and Dan Real, assistant general manager & VP of operations at Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs (l-r)

James Carney, Harrah’s statehouse lobbyist; A.J. Baker, Harrah’s regional VP of government relations; and Dan Real, assistant gm & VP of operations at Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs (l-r)

A company that bills itself as “the world’s largest provider of casino entertainment” is offering to pay the State of Iowa millions of dollars, every year, if Iowa lawmakers vote to bring an end greyhound racing in the state.  

Harrah’s runs the Horseshoe Casino and connected Bluffs Run dog track in Council Bluffs. Company officials held a news conference at the statehouse today to publicly offer to pay the state $7 million, every year, for as long as Harrah’s operates the Council Bluffs casino. 

“That is $7 million a year that can be spent by the state for real issues that affect Iowans like education, jobs and health care as compared to spending this month on a few breeders and owners, many of whom live out of state,” said Dan Real, assistant general manager and vice president of operations for Harrah’s Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs.

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Tagged as: Democratic Party, Gambling, Republican Party

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State tries to raise awareness of problem gambling

by Dar Danielson 03/10/10 10:17 AM

State officials are reminding retailers and the public about “safe and responsible” gambling practices as part of the recognition of “National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.” Mark Vander Linden is the coordinator of the Department of Public Health’s gambling treatment program.
Vander Linden says roughly 88% of adult Iowans gamble, and most of them have fun and [...]

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Gamblers like the ability to smoke at casinos

by Pat Curtis 03/10/10 9:07 AM

Two years ago, Iowa legislators banned smoking in most public places. Iowa casinos are one of the few places where smokers can still light up indoors. Michael Galloway believes it’s helped keep business booming at Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino in Altoona. Galloway is the chairman of Prairie Meadows’ Board of Directors.
“I think our [...]

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Three GOP candidates for governor speak

by O. Kay Henderson 03/9/10 9:40 PM

The three Republican candidates for governor each spoke, briefly, at an Iowa Christian Alliance event earlier tonight. Former Governor Terry Branstad was the first of the three to speak and he began by reminding the crowd that while he was governor, he signed a number of abortion restrictions into law as well as the Defense of [...]

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Legislators say they’ll stay out of casino licensing decision

by O. Kay Henderson 03/4/10 12:08 PM

Legislative leaders from both political parties say they’re staying out of the fray when it comes to deciding whether four communities should be allowed to host new, state-licensed casinos. 
Governor Chet Culver said this morning that the Racing and Gaming Commission should award new casino licenses to Fort Dodge, Ottumwa, Tama and Larchwood in far northwest Iowa.  [...]

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Culver calls for new casino licenses for Fort Dodge, Ottumwa, Tama, Larchwood

by O. Kay Henderson 03/4/10 10:02 AM

Governor Chet Culver has sent state gambling regulators a letter, urging the five-member panel to approve new casinos for four Iowa counties.   “Iowa citizens have gone to the ballot box and voted in favor of additional gaming in four additional counties — Lyon, Webster, Tama and Wapello,” Culver says.
“During the past years I have talked [...]

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Leader of greyhound industry says it offers a lot to the state

by Dar Danielson 02/22/10 3:38 AM

One of the proposals that’s included in the package of gambling bills still in consideration by Iowa lawmakers would eliminate greyhound racing. The proposal initially included a provision where Bluffs Run Greyhound Park in Council Bluffs and Mystique Casino in Dubuque could maintain their gaming license and discontinue live dog races if they pay a [...]

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