An Iowa iGaming measure has been launched within the Des Moines capital for a second consecutive yr. However just like final yr’s legislative session, state lawmakers aren’t searching for to permit on-line slot machines and desk video games anytime quickly.
Iowa state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R) has filed laws to maintain the dialog surrounding the deserves of legalizing iGaming present. Kaufmann says there gained’t be a vote on on-line on line casino playing in 2023. (Picture: AP)
Home Examine Invoice 227 was launched earlier this month by state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton). The legislative car is a clone of Home Examine Invoice 604, which he filed in the course of the state’s 2022 legislative session.
HSB227 carries on Kaufmann’s effort to provoke a significant dialogue about whether or not the state ought to develop playing to incorporate iGaming within the type of interactive slot machines and desk video games.
Iowa is presently dwelling to 19 riverboat and land-based casinos. Slots, tables, and sportsbooks are allowed to function on the properties. Iowa moreover permits on-line sports activities betting.
HSB227 has been directed to the Home Methods and Means Committee, which Kaufmann chairs. Kaufmann mentioned he’s introducing the iGaming examine invoice merely to maintain the dialog present. He says progress on an iGaming invoice gained’t happen till there’s a consensus among the many state’s present gaming operators.
Invoice Proposal
Kaufmann’s iGaming invoice suggests permitting the Iowa Racing and Gaming Fee to authorize licensed casinos to function interactive slots and desk video games on-line. Solely the state’s present casinos would qualify to function on-line gaming.
Every on line casino should pay an upfront $45K iGaming payment and renew the license yearly at $10K. Underneath Kaufmann’s pitch, the on line casino could be allowed to function as much as two “skins,” or on-line gaming platforms. Kaufmann’s invoice doesn’t counsel an efficient tax fee for gross gaming income generated by on-line casinos.
Kaufmann revealed that — since he has no intention of shifting the iGaming invoice out of his Methods and Means Committee this yr — he can maintain a listening to on iGaming any time earlier than the legislature is about to conclude its 2023 session in April.
On line casino Consensus
The chances of increasing gaming in Iowa anytime quickly are seemingly lengthy. The state’s present licensed gaming pursuits solely lately satisfied state lawmakers to position a moratorium on new licenses. In June 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a invoice that stops the state from approving new gaming tasks till no less than July 1, 2024.
The on line casino moratorium resulted from Iowa casinos lobbying state lawmakers to cap the market. The casinos argued that stability is required within the wake of the pandemic and casinos opening in neighboring Nebraska. Iowa legalized on-line sports activities betting in 2019.
Over the previous few years there’s been a number of modifications to our gaming legal guidelines within the state of Iowa,” mentioned Senate Main Chief Jack Whitver (R-Polk). “So, there’s just a little, possibly rather a lot, of gaming fatigue inside the Capitol.”
Officers in Cedar Rapids opposed the on line casino freeze. A bunch of native enterprise folks has been attempting since 2014 to realize state approval to construct a $250 million on line casino resort. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell wrote Reynolds asking her to veto the on line casino mortarium, to no avail.
