Legalized sports betting may be on its way to Iowa

Legalized sports betting in Iowa cleared its first legislative hurdle today.

A Senate subcommittee unanimously agreed to forward legislation to the Senate State Government Committee that would give state gaming regulators authority to allow sports betting at state-licensed racetracks and riverboat casinos if a federal prohibition is lifted.

“It's already legal in many foreign countries and there are billions of dollars being bet on professional sports around the world, and I'm just saying why not Iowa,” said Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, who sponsored the legislation.

“We've heard about sports betting since I was a pup,” he added. “I don't know of any bookies, I don't have any phone numbers or anything, but we know sports betting goes on.”

The federal professional and amateur sports protection act of 1992 made sports betting illegal in all but four U.S. states that were covered by a court-imposed “grandfather” clause. However, Kibbie says current restrictions are being challenged in court and there are efforts under way to convince Congress to change the law.

Should federal law be changed, Kibbie wants Iowa to be in a position to allow sports betting at existing casinos and collect potentially tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue from legal wagering on professional sports. The subcommittee agreed to remove language that would have allowed wagering on amateur or college sports as well.

Sen. James Seymour, R-Woodbine, said he would not attempt to block the measure in subcommittee, but noted he is opposed to further expansion of gambling opportunities in Iowa.

“My personal belief is we've got ample gambling in this state and I am just opposed to expanding gambling, particularly when we have the economic times that we have,” he said. “I don't know that we need to offer folks that are struggling right now another avenue to spend their money.”

The bill is scheduled for consideration by the full Senate State Government Committee this afternoon.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said he was willing to consider the proposed legislation if details were worked out and there were a minimum of 26 votes to pass the measure.

“I don't take things up just for the purpose of taking things up. We'll have to do some vote counting,” he said.

Gronstal said Iowa elected officials have allowed an array of gambling opportunities, but they also have limited the state-licensed activities to a fairly restrictive number of venues.