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Iowa Gambling Debate to Start Thursday

DES MOINES, Iowa – As reported by the Quad-City Times: "A long-anticipated debate on the state's gambling laws is set to begin Thursday in the Iowa House, but few are willing to predict how it might end.

"Communities pinning economic development hopes on bringing in a riverboat casino are waging an 11th-hour lobbying effort to convince lawmakers to approve new licenses.

"And opponents who think legalized gambling creates social ills such as bankruptcy and divorce are hoping legislators put the brakes on gambling expansion before any of the five counties that have passed gambling referendums can bring in a casino.

"…Black Hawk County is one of the five counties that have passed referendums. The others are Worth, Franklin, Palo Alto and Wapello.

"…Republican legislative leaders say they do not know what the final tally will be and do not plan on counting votes beforehand.

"…The bill, as it stands now, would issue five new riverboat casino licenses, lift a requirement that riverboat casinos must cruise and allow the state's three dog and horse racing tracks to add table games…"

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