Iowa Making Progress on Sports Betting Bill

Back in February, Iowa Senator, Roby Smith, introduced Senate Bill 1168, that would legalize both online and mobile sports betting in this state. But now, another Iowa bill, named House Bill 648, is making progress as well.

The first Senate Bill, that would kill two birds with one stone, got approved by the state Senate committee…

…and now bill, HB 648, also ed a vote by a subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee this past Monday.

The bill ed by a 4-1 margin, so now it will have to go for approval of the full committee. But, before ing the subcommittee’s approval, the bill will have to go through a few alterations.

For now, it is expected that everything will go smoothly with this Iowa bill and that it won’t encounter any resistance.

A Word from the Lawmaker

The author of the bill, Representative, Bobby Kaufmann, said that it would be ready for both consideration and potential House approval probably during the first week of April.

“I think the momentum is on our side. I know it’s a priority among leadership of both chambers to get this done. I’m shepherding it through and making the changes I have to make. I’m very confident in getting this done and think we have the wind at our backs,” Kaufman said.

Details of the Bill

Some alterations will have to be made before the bill gets introduced in front of the Ways and Means Committee. It is said that in Iowa, wagering on college sports events won’t be allowed…

…while the operators will be taxed at 6.75% on gross gaming revenue.

The plan is to take 0.25% from it and direct it towards the establishment of the programs that would prevent excess gambling and gambling addictions.

In this bill, it is also mentioned that each licensed operator is required to force gamblers to first in person if they want to make mobile s.

Also, certain changes will have to be made in subsidy paid by Prairie Meadows casino. Prairie Meadows is currently giving 11% of its revenue to subsidize its live horseracing program, so that subsidy would be applicable to sports gambling revenue as well.

But, it won’t last for a long time, since that amount will soon drop to 6%…

…based on a previous prognosis that the percentage will decline as soon as $200 million in contributions gets delivered.

Results Coming Soon

Representative Kaufmann included those changes because they were necessary in order to gain the of Lee Hein, the committee. It is still unknown if these amendments will be approved by lawmakers in the House.

Other changes that will be included will primarily be made to get the Democrats behind sports gambling.

“The bottom line is this thing isn’t ing on the House floor without Democrat votes, so we have to make concessions and we’re doing that,” Kaufmann concluded.

Source:

“Iowa making progress on sports gambling bill”, Erik Gibbs, calvinayre.com, March 19, 2019.