Why there may be no final decision on new Iowa casino this week

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) - Language in legislation under consideration by Iowa lawmakers could make it unnecessary for senators to agree to a bill that would extend the state’s moratorium on additional casino licenses before this Thursday.

Thursday, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to meet in Altoona and could vote on a license for a $275 million casino development project in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa house lawmakers hurried a bill through the chamber last week that would place a license moratorium until July 1st, 2030. But the language in the bill also makes a freeze on new licenses retroactive.

Part of the bill states: “...Commencing January 1, 2025, through June 30, 20230, the total number of licenses issued by the commission to conduct gambling games on an excursion gambling boat, at a gambling structure, or at a pari-mutuel racetrack shall not exceed nineteen subject to the requirements of this subsection.”

That provision could prevent the license for the Cedar Rapids project even if the commission approves it Thursday.

Senate President Amy Sinclair, an Allerton Republican, said on Iowa PBS’ “Iowa Press” that it was a “jump ball” whether her chamber would pass the house’s casino license freeze legislation.

There are currently 19 state-licensed casinos in Iowa and four owned by Native American tribes.

About the author: Midwest native Dave Price is Gray Television’s Iowa Political Director for nine stations that broadcast in the state and has been covering local, state and national politics from Iowa since 2001.

Dave produces and hosts “Inside Iowa Politics,” a weekly, in-depth show focused on interviews with top leaders on politics, issues, challenges and solutions that impact the state.

He has written two books about the Iowa Caucuses (“Caucus Chaos” and “Caucus Chaos Trump”). Email him at dave.price@gray.tv. Follow him on X (Twitter): @idaveprice Meta/Facebook: DavePriceNews Instagram: idaveprice and LinkedIn: Dave Price.

Dave welcomes your thoughts on what answers to seek from politicians and decisionmakers and what issues challenge our communities.