Iowa counties which do not have a state-licensed casino in them did receive some gambling revenue again this year. Iowa Gaming Association president Wes Ehrecke says the money is distributed through a program called the County Endowment Fund. He says the qualified community foundations in the 84 … [Read more...]
It’s national Problem Gambling Awareness Month
This is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and the man who runs the state Gambling Treatment Program says it's a good time to take a close look at the issue. Eric Pruess, says the number of problem gamblers remains small, but they shouldn't be overlooked."Many Iowans are impacted by … [Read more...]
Casinos in Sioux City and Jefferson fined $20,000 by regulators for violations
Casinos in Sioux City and Jefferson agreed to fines of $20,000 each at the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting Tuesday for violations of rules. Iowa Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says the Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City agreed to the fine after they experienced outages in … [Read more...]
Economic impact of casinos on the state increases
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission renewed the licenses of the 19 state regulated casinos at their meeting Tuesday in Altoona. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko says it was pretty routine."No issues this year as it relates to any of the license renewals," Ohorilko says. He says … [Read more...]
Sports betting bills ready for committee action in Iowa House, Senate
The Iowa House and Senate are considering two similar plans to legalize sports betting after hearing from several competing interests that want a stake in the potential new industry. Both would allow casinos to host in-person and mobile sports betting. However, the House version does not require … [Read more...]
Casino industry calls sports betting bill ‘ideal solution’
A plan has emerged at the statehouse that would give the state's casinos authority to take sports bets from customers in the casinos and from customers anywhere in the state using a smart phone app. A Senate subcommittee approved its version of the plan Tuesday evening. "This bill is continuing … [Read more...]
Organizations wrangle over managing sports betting in Iowa
Grocers and convenience stores, restaurants and the state's horsing racing industry are competing with casinos for a piece of sports betting action. The debate played out this week in House and Senate committees reviewing bills to make bets on college and professional sports legal in Iowa, … [Read more...]
Governor not showing her hand in sports gambling debate
Governor Kim Reynolds is offering few public clues about her views on how a bill legalizing sports betting should be structured. "I'm going to watch it. I'm not going to weigh in," Reynolds said during her weekly news conference. "I'm going to let it go through the legislative process. That's … [Read more...]
Concerns raised about addiction issues among young adults who gamble on sports
Representatives of the state's casinos, grocery stores, restaurants, the Iowa Lottery and the horse racing industry are all taking a shot at publicly explaining why they should get a slice of the action if the state legalizes betting on pro and college sports. A 90-mimute hearing was held at the … [Read more...]
Expert says taxes on sports book won’t be ‘cash cow’ for State of Iowa
A Drake University professor says the research shows Iowa won't reap hundreds of millions -- or even tens of millions more in gambling taxes if the state legalizes and taxes sports betting within the state's borders. Keith Miller is an expert on gambling law. "It's not going to be a 'cash … [Read more...]