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Iowa Senate Clears Way for Casinos

DES MOINES,Iowa -- As reported by the Sioux City Journal: "Senate Republicans gave new hope Monday to Iowa counties lobbying for riverboat casinos even as they fired a hard curveball at racetracks in Dubuque and Polk County seeking a Statehouse deal on tax rates.

"While making several changes to major gambling legislation approved by the House, a Senate panel erased a provision that would have slapped a moratorium on the issuance of new gambling licenses. Leaders from six counties where voters gave a green light to casinos feared the moratorium would dash their plans.

"Instead, senators voted to leave the final call on expansion in the hands of the Racing and Gaming Commission. Palo Alto, Worth, Black Hawk, Franklin, Wapello and Webster counties are seeking to host new riverboat facilities.

"The commission placed its own moratorium on new licenses five years ago. But commission members also have the power to lift that cap. The House bill would have taken away that authority.

"…The Senate bill would create a $5 million fee for a new license issued in a county with fewer than 15,000 people. That fee would jump to $10 million in a county with more than 15,000 but less than 100,000 people and to $20 million for counties with more than 100,000 people. The fees would be paid over three years…"

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