Iowa Senators Pushing To Legalize Sports Betting | IXGAMES

Senators Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Steve Sodders (D-State Center) are currently pushing for the legalization of betting on sports events. In separate bills, the two senators initiated measures to give the state’s Racing and Gaming Commission the authority to offer sports betting to patrons of state-licensed racetracks and riverboat casinos. Currently, Iowa is covered by a federal prohibition on sports betting. The federal prohibition on sports betting The Federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 have prohibited sports betting in all but a few states. Under this law, only the states of Delaware, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon are allowed to offer sports betting on professional team sports like football and basketball. Also covered by the federal act are wagering on college sports teams. There have been efforts to change the law over the years and the bills filed by the two senators are the latest. While pushing for the same goal, there are slight differences in the senators’ bills. Sen. Sodder’s bill seeks to allow gambling but only on professional sports. On the other hand, Sen. Kibbie’s bill proposes to also include amateur sports betting. At the bottom line of both bills is that implementation shall take effect once the Racing and Gaming Commission determines that federal law will does not prohibit betting on amateur and professional sports in the state. As Sen. Kibbie reveals, “The bill is contingent on the approval of federal legislation”. The senator has speculated that legalization of sports betting will generate up to $100 million in gaming revenue for the state, provided that it will be taxed at the same rate as other betting avenues. He added that there are people who don’t bet on other things but are very much interested in making wagers on their favorite sports and teams. Sports betting as source of tax revenue Sen. Sodders have pointed out the huge amounts of money being wagered on the Super Bowl year after year and highlights the number of people who regularly bet on sports events. He also mentioned the existence of illegal betting operations and that the money generated by these enterprises will be of use to the state if channeled to state-regulated outlets once the prohibition is lifted. “We think that we ought to be able to regulate that here and have sports betting if Iowa desires to do that in our casinos,” the senator said further. “Why not let them do that betting here than in other states that are getting the revenue for that?” Sen. Sodders plan to get the support of the other members of Iowa’s congressional delegation to get the ball rolling in lifting the federal prohibition. The senator hopes that his and Sen. Kibbie’s initial moves will start interest and gain momentum in legalizing sports betting.