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Gaming NewsIowa Gaming Supplier Regulatory Overview8 November 2010Introduction The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ("Commission") was created in 1983 with the passage of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act. In July 1989, legislation was enacted allowing the Commission to license qualified sponsoring organizations to conduct gambling games on excursion gambling boats. Iowa currently has 17 operating casinos of which 7 are riverboats, 7 are land-based, and 3 are racetrack casinos. The casinos employ approximately 9,000 people and generate $1.4 billion annually. Iowa requires that manufacturers and distributors of gaming devices be licensed through the Commission. There are separate licenses for a manufacturer and a distributor. A Manufacturer License is required of any individual or entity that designs, assembles, fabricates, produces, constructs, or otherwise prepares a product, or a component part of a product, or any implement of gambling usable in the lawful conduct of gaming within the state. A Distributor License is required of any individual or entity that sells, markets, or otherwise distributes gambling devices or associated gambling equipment usable in the lawful conduct of gaming within the state. Individuals or entities that conduct operations at a casino gaming facility but do not fall within the definition of a Manufacturer or Distributor are considered Vendors and must receive a Vendor License.1 Potential applicants should note that the information below is taken from Iowa law, administrative rules, and the Commission's website, as application materials are only available upon request of potential applicants. Interested persons should contact the Commission for further information regarding application materials. Manufacturer License A Manufacturer is a person or entity that designs, assembles, fabricates, produces, constructs, or otherwise prepares a product, or a component part of a product, or any implement of gambling usable in the lawful conduct of gaming within the state.2 Licenses are issued on an annual basis and applications and fees are due on the first of April.3 The license fee for a Manufacturer License is $250.00. Applications are only available upon request directed to the Commission. Distributor License A Distributor is any individual or entity that sells, markets, or otherwise distributes gambling devices or associated gambling equipment usable in the lawful conduct of gaming within the state.4 Licenses are issued on an annual basis and applications and fees are due on the first of April.5 The license fee for a Distributor License is $1,000.00.6 Applications are only available upon request directed to the Commission. Vendor Licensing Individuals or entities that conduct operations at a casino gaming facility but do not fall within the definition of a Manufacturer or Distributor are considered Vendors and must receive a Vendor License.7 All employees of a licensed Vendor who deliver goods to the casino site must be licensed as Vendor Employees.8 Applications are only available upon request directed to the Commission. Disclosure and Reporting Requirements A Manufacturer Licensee or a Distributor Licensee must provide the Commission with written notice of gambling devices shipped to an operator.9 Prior to installation at the gaming facility, the Manufacturer or Distributor must deliver the games to a location specified by the Commission so that the items may be inspected and approved for use in a state gaming facility.10 1Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-6.14(1). 2Iowa Code § 99.F.1(18).) 3Iowa Code § 99.F.17(1). 4Iowa Code § 99.F.1(6). 5Iowa Code § 99.F.17(1). 6Id. 7Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-6.14(1). 8Iowa Admin. Code r. 491-6.14(3). 9Iowa Code § 99.F.17(5). 10Iowa Code § 99.F.17A. |