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...]
Three state casinos fined for violations of self-ban rules
State-licensed casinos in Northwood, Sioux City, and Altoona were issued fines Tuesday by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for violations related to customers who had banned themselves from betting. The Diamond Jo Casino in Worth County near Northwood was fined $5,000 after a person who had … [Read more...]
Reynolds names new Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission members
Governor Kim Reynolds is appointing two new members to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, replacing commissioners first appointed when Governor Terry Branstad returned to office in 2011. Former Republican State Representative Lance Horbach is one of the men Reynolds has chosen to oversee the … [Read more...]
Hot Lotto winner settles suit over size of prize
The legal dispute is over between managers of the national "Hot Lotto" game and the Iowa man who argued that because an insider rigged a previous jackpot, his $9 million prize should have been bigger. A trial was scheduled for next Monday in Des Moines, but the Multi-State Lottery Association and … [Read more...]
All 19 state-licensed casinos now have sports gambling licenses
All 19 state-licensed casinos now have a sports gambling licenses. Racing and Gaming Administrator Brian Ohorilko says commissioners approved a license for the Casino Queen Marquette at their meeting last week. "Marquette has not selected a partner yet -- however they are in negotiations with … [Read more...]
Closure of Florida tracks may doom Iowa Greyhound Park
The racing season at Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque ended November 10, just before the snow started falling, and the track's manager sees storm clouds ahead for the industry. Brian Carpenter, the track's racing director and general manager, said wagering was up 14 percent during this year's … [Read more...]
Sports betting increases in October
The amount of money spent on sports betting increased again in October. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission reports there was about $46.5 million spent on sports betting in the month. That is up by just about $8 million compared to the first full month of sports betting in September. The … [Read more...]