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Iowa Casino Groups Gave $100,000 in Campaign Contributions

IOWA – As reported by the Des Moines Register: "Groups tied to Iowa's casinos showered state lawmakers with nearly $100,000 in campaign contributions just before the 2004 legislative session, which cleared the way for a significant expansion of gambling in Iowa.

"The total dwarfs the four groups' combined donations of less than $12,000 in all of 2003.

"…Some of the biggest amounts came from groups with links to casinos, according to campaign reports filed recently with the state ethics board, covering donations from Jan. 1 through May 14:

"- The Meskwaki tribe, which runs a casino near Tama that is not regulated by the state, gave $47,000 in early January, a Des Moines Register review of campaign finance reports found.

"…The Meskwakis and other casino owners were wary of gambling-expansion proposals that could affect their businesses, so they did not get what they wanted out of the legislative session.

"-Citizens for Preservation of Racing, a political action committee formed by people who race horses at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, made donations totaling $35,000 before the Legislature's Jan. 12 start date.

"…- The political arm of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, which operates a riverboat casino in Council Bluffs, distributed more than $5,000 in early January.

"…The Legislature's top six leaders reaped the biggest campaign donations from gambling interests. All six voted in favor of the gambling bill, which authorizes table games at Iowa's three racetrack-casinos and allows state regulators to approve new casino licenses.

"Leaders insist that money sent their way had no impact on the course of the gambling debate or the votes that were taken…"

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