The State of Iowa is counter-suing nearly a dozen businesses in the on-going legal tussle over the Iowa Lottery’s TouchPlay machines.
A year ago the Iowa Legislature pulled the plug on the machines, which dispensed TouchPlay tickets. Months later, several of the businesses that invested in TouchPlay sued the state.
Now, Iowa’s attorney general has filed a counterclaim, alleging that 11 businesses owe the state about a million dollars, contending those businesses kept cash from the machines that was supposed to be turned over to the state.
A federal appeals court has tossed out one lawsuit over TouchPlay and upheld Iowa’s ban on the machines. Four other lawsuits have been filed against the state by businesses seeking damages after they went into partnership with the Lottery to own, market and manage the TouchPlay machines.