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Iowa Casino Revenue Up 7.3 Percent

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Revenue at state-licensed casinos and racetracks reached $1.05 billion in fiscal 2004, up 7.3 percent from the previous year.

Figures released Wednesday by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission may reflect the seven months of discord at the Meskwaki Bingo casino-hotel near Tama, which may have sent customers to other venues. The Meskwaki casino, unregulated by the state, does not report its receipts.

Prairie Meadows in Des Moines kept its lead as Iowa's largest licensed gambling venue, with $164.3 million in gross receipts, up 9.22 percent.

Poker receipts doubled in 2004, which experts said may have been fueled by interest in poker on cable television.

Licensed venues pay nearly $226 million to the state in taxes, $3.1 million to gambling treatment programs, and $5.2 million each to host cities and counties.

Copyright © Las Vegas Sun. Inc. Republished with permission.

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