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Iowa Casinos Meet Demand for Poker

TAMA, Iowa – As reported by the Associated Press: "The popularity of televised poker tournaments has brought more players to the table, with some Iowa casinos planning to expand to meet demand.

"Shows, such as the Travel Channel's World Poker Tour and ESPN's coverage of the World Series of Poker, have 'totally revived' poker at the Meskwaki casino near Tama, casino spokeswoman Betsy McCloskey said.

"…Before the upsurge in television poker, the casino's tournaments were half-full, poker room manager David Corns said. Now, eight 12-player tables easily fill up for two tournaments, he said.

"…Prairie Meadows recently paid the state $10 million for a license to operate table games and plans to add a nine-table poker room by mid-December, Manning said.

"…Elsewhere, four other state regulated gambling venues have poker rooms, said Wes Ehrecke, executive director of the Iowa Gaming Association. They are the Isle of Capri Casino in Bettendorf, the Catfish Bend Casino at Burlington and Fort Madison, Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel and the Lakeside Casino Resort in Osceola.

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