The Association representing Iowa’s gambling boats and racetracks is split over how to proceed in a protest of state taxes on the tracks. A judge last week ruled against Iowa tracks, which were trying to stop their escalating state taxes. Iowa’s riverboats pay a 20 percent tax on profits, while the tracks pay a 28 percent tax on slot machine revenue. Gambling opponent Tom Coates of “The Truth About Gambling Foundation” says there may be a move to raise the taxes on the boats, and freeze the taxes for the tracks.Wes Ehrecke leads the Iowa Gaming Association, which has the nine riverboats and three tracks as members. He says the IGA has not taken a stand on the issue at this time. He says the need to take a look at the way the taxes paid by the industry are being used.For example, state gambling taxes are being used to back the state program, which will forward millions to communities for sports or cultural attractions — the so-called “Vision Iowa” fund. Ehrecke says the higher taxes are eating in the amount of charitable contributions the tracks make.Coates and Ehrecke made their comments on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press.”
