Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer says they won't set another record for sales in the fiscal year that just ended June 30th. Neubauer says they won't match the $390.1 million record once all the numbers are totaled -- but they will meet some key marks. "In 2020 with COVID-19 and … [Read more...]
Regulators approve betting on Esports games, Esports casino betting denied
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved betting on Esports through contests -- but not at the state's casinos. Draft-Kings spokesman Chris Cippola asked the commission to approve Esport wagering through his company's contests. "Esports are organized multiplayer video game … [Read more...]
Iowa lawmakers ban credit cards for sports wagering
The Iowa legislature has voted to forbid the use of credit cards for wagering on sporting events through Iowa-based casinos. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines says that's a big deal. "If you want you lose your paycheck, that's fine. I don't know how long you get away with that from your … [Read more...]
Casinos see people lined up to get in as they open back up
Some of the 19 state-licensed casinos started re-opening Monday under new guidelines from the governor. Wild Rose Jefferson President Tom Timmons says customers were waiting in line at his property, and the two other company casinos in the state when the doors opened. "We had about 140 people … [Read more...]
Wait for reopening continues for casinos and amusement parks
While Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is allowing many businesses to reopen early -- the state's casinos are still not on the list. Reynolds said Wednesday that the casinos have been working on plans to safely reopen. "This is a discussion and a dialogue that they're having and they have … [Read more...]
Two members leaving Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission after 9 years
Two long-time members of the State Racing and Gaming Commission are retiring from the board when their current terms expire at the end of this month. Carl Heinrich of Council Bluffs and Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny each have served nine years on the body that regulates gambling in the state. Racing … [Read more...]
Problem Gambling Month took on new focus with coronavirus outbreak
The man who oversees Iowa Gambling Treatment program says March is National Problem Gambling Month -- but the message has quickly changed as the coronavirus hit Iowa. The state-licensed casinos shut down to prevent the spread of the virus -- but Eric Preuss says that didn't shut off all avenues … [Read more...]
Casinos started shutting down before emergency order
The governor's emergency order requires the state-licensed casinos to shut down for the next two weeks. Iowa Gaming Association PresidentWes Ehrecke says four casinos had already made the decision to temporarily close -- and others were discussing it. "These are unprecedented times, and it's … [Read more...]
Prairie Meadows Casino to shut down for 30 days
The state's busiest casino announced it is shutting down for 30 days in response to the coronavirus. The Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona will shut down operations at 5 p.m. The information from the casino says there have been no known cases of COVID-19 linked to the casino -- but they are … [Read more...]
New hotel with views of the Mississippi River planned for Dubuque
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has given the go-ahead for a remodeling project at the Q Casino in Dubuque that will include a new upscale eight-story hotel. Architect Matt Coen told regulators the hotel will be between the casino and the existing Hilton Garden Inn. "The project will … [Read more...]