Iowa Poker Legalization - One more Obstacle Removed

Danielson's bill approved by the key Senate committee The key Senate State Government Committee on Wednesday voted 11-4 in favour of Iowa state Sen. Jeff Danielson's proposal to legalize intrastate online poker. This means that the online poker issue will remain on the legislative agenda with all necessary criteria met. The support from other Senators was crucial for Danielson's Senate Study Bill 3164 to pass a sub-committee earlier this week. And the reason for doing that was the recent change of policy on the Wire Act by federal enforcement officials, as well as a desire to protect Iowans, ensure the state was strongly positioned for internet poker, and raise tax revenues. It was significant what Sen. Rick Bertrand said during discussion on the bill: “I don't see this as an expansion of gambling. I see this as an expansion of freedom.” Senators who chose to support the bill pointed out that illegal offshore gambling operations are already offering online poker to Iowa residents which generates up to $100 million in betting and they called it an unregulated, “wild, wild West” environment. Senator Bill Dix in his comment said: “We have a situation in Iowa where Iowa citizens are not being protected. This will do that!”, adding that bringing the activity under state regulation would halt unscrupulous operations from “preying on Iowans.” Sen. Danielson said the structure envisioned in his measure would bring a thoughtful policy to a problem, enable the state to bar anyone associated with illegal gambling operations from doing business in Iowa, and capture economic activity currently leaving the state while generating revenue via state fees charged to hub operators and an expected rise in revenue from state-licensed operations. Mike Gronstal, Senate Majority Leader, told media that online poker had a 50-50 chance of winning approval by the full state Senate. Bearing in mind the Wednesday's vote when the 4 negative votes were cast by three Republicans and one Democrat, odds that Gronstal speculated were better than the prospects the issue may receive in the Republican-controlled state House.