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Iowa Commissioners: Not All Communities Will Get Casinos

IOWA – As reported by the Des Moines Register: "Some Iowa communities hoping to add casino gambling probably will be turned down, even though state regulators are leaning toward an expansion of Iowa's casino industry, gambling commissioners said in advance of a key meeting this week.

"The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will meet Thursday in Johnston to discuss lifting a six -year-old moratorium on new casino licenses. While it's not certain that a majority of the five-member commission will agree to permit more casino boats, 'if I were a betting person, that is what I would bet,' said Vice Chairwoman Diane Hamilton of Storm Lake.

"…The question of how many new casino boats should be authorized could still be up in the air even if the commission agrees to abolish the restrictions this week.

"…Gov. Tom Vilsack expects the commission to issue additional casino licenses, said Matt Paul, a Vilsack aide.

"…The soonest Iowa could have new riverboat casinos would probably be early 2006, said Jack Ketterer, the commission's administrator. He said it would take months to adopt regulations to lift the moratorium, and license applications could be considered in January 2005. Then it would take about a year for casino projects to be built, he said…"

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