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Iowa Lawmakers Hammer Out Gambling Bill

DES MOINES, Iowa — (Press Release) -- After conceding the legislature will not be able to adjourn this week, lawmakers will return to the Capitol today to try once again to find consensus on gambling legislation that stalled in a Senate committee last week.

"Lawmakers had said they would work to finish by Thursday, but a bill setting new tax rates for the gambling industry is holding up the adjournment train. The state's highest court ruled in February that Iowa unfairly taxed racetrack casino at a higher rate than riverboat casinos, pushing lawmakers to reconsider the issue this year.

"Lawmakers have been negotiating new rates with tracks so the state does not have to pay them back an estimated $165 million in overpaid taxes.

"But legislative leaders said last week they will consider once again appealing an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state's gambling tax structure.

"…Gov. Tom Vilsack said it is 'highly unlikely' the state will win on appeal, and believes lawmakers need to move quickly to reach an agreement.

"…Leaders say the gambling tax issue must be resolved before they give final approval to next year's budget…"

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