Iowa senators are opposing a recent plan to stop issuing new casino licenses, arguing that the bill doesn’t have enough support to move forward.
By a vote of 68 to 31, the bill, also known as Senate File 76, was approved by the Iowa House of Representatives. If passed, it would restrict the number of casino licenses granted to 19 through 2030 and put a five-year freeze on new licenses. The goal of the law is to prevent the state from expanding its gaming industry until at least 2030.
The idea has encountered resistance in the Senate, despite its popularity in the House. The bill was recently approved by the Senate Local Government Subcommittee and Committee, but Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Rozenboom, who also serves as the chair of the State Government Committee, expressed his disapproval. He explained, “Today, I chose not to bring forward HF 144 in committee. I am no fan of gambling, and my decision not to advance this legislation should not be considered in support of casino expansion.”
Rozenboom also emphasized that there was insufficient backing from Senate Republicans to push the bill through the Senate. “In the interest of moving this session forward to other issues of critical importance to Iowans, I have no plans to reconsider the legislation for the remainder of this session.”
Impact on Cedar Rapids Casino Project
If the ban moves forward, it could halt a proposed $275 million casino project in Cedar Rapids. The project, backed by the Linn County Gaming Association and its partner, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, would include 700 slot machines, 22 table games, and a 1,500-seat entertainment venue, among other amenities.
With the previous moratorium expiring in July, the future of the Cedar Rapids casino now hangs in the balance.
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