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Will Iowa be the Next State to Launch Online Casinos?
No positive developments have formed when it comes to legalizing online casinos and internet poker in Iowa. Lawmakers in the state will almost certainly introduce a new proposal in the next legislative season after iGaming bills introduced through 2023 didn’t gain much traction. All previous iGaming bills introduced were sponsored by Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R-WIlton), one of the state’s biggest supporters of online casinos.
Iowa Online Casinos: The Latest
For Iowa gambling to pass iGaming legislation, all commercial casinos in the state must show their support. Currently, 13 of the 18 Iowa commercial casinos support online gaming, which hasn’t changed since 2022. Wes Ehrecke, President and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association, says that since several casinos oppose iGaming legislation, the IGA can’t support or promote online casinos.
iGaming proponents like Rep. Kaufmann must find solutions to address the holdout casinos’ concerns to pass iGaming legislation in the future. Most of the commercial casinos opposed to online gaming cite monetary concerns, with others having fears about gambling addiction and minors having access to games. Supporters also must propose initiatives and programs similar to states like New Jersey, which is introducing new responsible gaming tools.
When Will We See Online Casino in Iowa?
Lawmakers failed to pass iGaming legislation in 2023, as HB227 didn’t pass the Iowa General Assembly. However, a bill may be slightly more likely to pass next year after a two-year moratorium on granting new casino licenses expires in June 2024. New Hampshire is the only state to consider iGaming in 2023 after efforts appeared to fail in New York, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky this year.
Kaufmann’s new proposal will likely be similar to HB227, which allowed the state’s retail casinos to partner with up to two iGaming providers. It required operators to pay a $45,000 licensing fee and a $10,000 yearly renewal fee. Iowa charges sports betting operators one of the lowest tax rates in the country at 6.75%. The same rate for online casino providers could generate $35 million in tax revenue annually.
Possible Iowa Online Casinos in 2024
If Iowa lawmakers succeed in passing iGaming legislation, players will have access to some of the leading online casinos offered in the seven states that currently allow online gambling.
These providers include some of the oldest gaming companies in the industry, along with newer platforms that have become popular since online casinos first went live in New Jersey in 2013.
BetMGM Casino is one of the most famous names in gaming and entertainment and offers its online casino platform in four US states. BetMGM has more than 1,000 games to choose from, including slots, table games and a live dealer option.
Caesars Palace Online Casino should also be available to Iowa casino players. It is owned by Caesars Interactive Entertainment, the largest online and social gaming company in the US focused on casino entertainment.
Another provider likely available to Iowa casino players is DraftKings Casino, which features a large selection of progressive jackpot slots and the Dynasty Rewards program, where players earn benefits like priority customer support and access to exclusive live events.
FanDuel Casino is also a popular choice for online casino players, offering exclusive games with huge jackpots and many promo codes for existing players to gain extra funds. It’s one of the top-rated casino & sportsbook apps in the market and is known for its excellent 24/7 customer support.
Erik is a dynamic and seasoned journalist with a passion for all things sports and sports betting. With a career spanning over two decades, he has become a prominent figure in the world of sports journalism, admired for his insightful analysis and engaging storytelling.