Iowa to Expect Legal Sports Betting | IXGAMES

The first legislative challenge that faced legalized sports betting in the state of Iowa has already been cleared recently. A unanimous decision has been arrived at by the Senate subcommittee, agreeing to promote the legislation to the Senate State Government Committee. The legislation is expected to provide authority for the gaming regulators to permit sports betting at racetracks licensed by the state. Also, sports betting will be allowed in riverboat casinos should the federal prohibition be lifted. It was Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, who sponsored the said legislation. According to him, sports betting are already considered legal in many countries overseas and the bets on professional sports have already reached up to billions. If such sport betting activities are already supported around the world, there is no reason why it should not be legalized in Iowa, argued the Senate President. He also adds how sports betting have been around for many decades already, ever since his younger days. And while he does not know any bookies personally and does not have any of their contact numbers, he is aware as to how sports betting have been going on for some time. Sports betting were allowed only in four states within the U.S., having been covered by a “grandfather clause” imposed by the court. This is the federal professional and amateur sports protection act of 1992. Nonetheless, Kibbie gives the assurance that present limitations are facing challenges in court and efforts are being made to persuade Congress into changing the present law governing sports betting. Kibbie plans Iowa to join the sports betting bandwagon, allowing the activity to be done in casinos, thereby potentially collecting tens of millions in dollars as revenue from the taxes, should the existing federal law be altered. The subcommittee moreover allowed for the removal of the language that would have brought about wagering on college sports and other amateur venues as well. Although Senator James Seymour, R-Woodbine is opposed to any expansion of gambling activities in Iowa, he has said that he will not be obstructing any measure done by the subcommittee. He believes that he is not 100% committed to gambling activities expansion especially with the kind of economic climate that we have, and that the level of gambling performed in the State is just about enough. He is not sure whether giving people another way to spend their hard-earned money is a pretty good idea as of the present. On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has made it clear that he is willing to make considerations on the proposed legislation. This is as long as details are already completed and that there are no fewer than 26 votes to pass the measure.