USA Top 10 best casinos in Virginia

USA Top 10 crypto casinos in Virginia

USA Newest 10 casinos in Virginia

  • Casino News
  • USA News

Iowa Faces New Debate Over Gambling Expansion

Iowa is on the brink of a new debate over gambling expansion as local activists push to block a proposed casino in Cedar Rapids. This could lead to a new state moratorium on physical casinos, with potential implications for the future of online gaming regulation in the state.
facebook twitter twitter
Iowa Flag

Branimir Ivanov | Senior News Contributor

Updated: Nov 13, 2024

Iowa Facing Local Opposition

Iowa’s gambling landscape may be entering another period of uncertainty, as locals in Cedar Rapids push back against a proposed casino development. The city, currently without a brick-and-mortar casino, could soon host its first — unless the activist group Iowans for Common Sense successfully halts the project. Their efforts may lead to a new state moratorium on land-based casinos, which could have far-reaching implications for Iowa’s online gambling future.

The debate centers on a proposal by the Linn County Gaming Association and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment to build Iowa’s 20th commercial casino in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) is scheduled to vote on the proposal on February 6, 2025, but this decision could be delayed or overruled if the Iowa legislature acts first. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a key figure in Iowa's gambling legislation, has reintroduced a bill to impose a new moratorium on the expansion of physical casinos. While this bill passed the Iowa House in 2024, it failed to gain traction in the Senate. Kaufmann, who was re-elected in November, plans to reintroduce the bill in the 2025 legislative session.

 

A Moratorium's Complex Impact on Iowa Gambling

The possibility of a new moratorium raises questions about the future of both physical and online gambling in Iowa. The last moratorium, which expired in June 2024, also served to freeze discussions around online gaming. If a new moratorium is enacted, it could similarly sideline the issue of regulated online casinos.

Advocates for online gaming see a potential upside to a land-based casino moratorium. By limiting the growth of the physical casino industry, they argue, the state could be better positioned to support online casinos as a revenue source. However, opponents of a new moratorium, including some casino industry stakeholders, fear that such a policy could stifle overall gambling growth and lead to further opposition against online casino legislation. Iowans for Common Sense, the group leading the charge against the Cedar Rapids casino, has launched a television ad campaign to gather support for a new moratorium. The group argues that allowing another casino would hurt local communities and is pushing for a petition to block the proposal. If successful, the group's actions could set the stage for wider conversations about online gambling in the state.

Supporters of online gaming believe that a moratorium on physical casinos could make space for online gambling expansion. The idea is that with fewer in-person casinos in Iowa, there would be less concern over “cannibalization” — the fear that online casinos could draw revenue away from existing physical venues. For legislators like Kaufmann, this could be an opening to push for regulated online casinos, which he has supported for years. However, his ability to convince Iowa’s physical casino operators that online gambling won’t undermine their businesses remains a key hurdle.

 

A new moratorium on land-based gaming licenses could limit the opportunity for the state to pull new revenues from such gambling. In that instance, online casinos could be ready to fill the void.

 

The Road Ahead: Iowa's Gambling Future

The tension between land-based casinos and the potential for online gaming expansion in Iowa hinges on complex dynamics. A new moratorium on physical casinos might pave the way for regulated online casinos, but it could also trigger resistance from casino industry groups wary of increased competition from iGaming. On the other hand, a decision to approve the Cedar Rapids casino could delay or complicate efforts to introduce online casinos, especially if concerns about market saturation gain momentum.

Ultimately, the state’s gambling future will depend on the actions of both lawmakers and voters in the coming months. While the fate of the Cedar Rapids casino will likely dominate the discussion for now, the broader issue of online gambling regulation in Iowa remains on the table, with key players like Kaufmann and Rep. Jacob Bossman likely to play pivotal roles in shaping the outcome.

The Hottest Usa casinos of 2024

USA Icon
US Players Accepted
Avantgarde Casino logo

Avantgarde Casino Review

USARated 100.00/100%

welcome bonus

400% Weekly Promotion

35x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
20+
Payment methods
14
Game providers
5
Min deposit
25
US Players
Accepted
American Eagle
All-American Casino
SlotsandCasino Casino logo

SlotsandCasino Casino Review

USARated 99.98/100%

welcome bonus

300%/$1,500 + 100 Free Spins

30x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
11+
Payment methods
6
Game providers
10
Min deposit
25
US Players
Accepted
burger
American Favorite
Cafe Casino logo

Cafe Casino Review

USARated 98.12/100%

welcome bonus

250%/$1,500

40x wagering (Deposit Only)

Play
Number of games
150+
Payment methods
8
Game providers
3
Min deposit
20
US Players
Accepted
Popularity Icon
Trending in the USA
DuckyLuck Casino logo

DuckyLuck Casino Review

USARated 99.97/100%

welcome bonus

500%/$2,500+ 150 Free Spins

30x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
11+
Payment methods
6
Game providers
10
Min deposit
25
US Players
Accepted
trending topic
Hot in USA
Bovada Casino logo

Bovada Casino Review

USARated 99.12/100%

welcome bonus

100%/$1,000

25x wagering (Deposit Only)

Play
Number of games
10+
Payment methods
4
Game providers
3
Min deposit
20
US Players
Accepted
growth
Growing in USA
Ignition Casino logo

Ignition Casino Review

USARated 98.11/100%

welcome bonus

300%/$3,000

25x wagering (Deposit Only)

Play
Number of games
10+
Payment methods
5
Game providers
4
Min deposit
20
US Players
Accepted
USA Icon
US Players Accepted
Slots LV Casino logo

Slots LV Casino Review

USARated 98.13/100%

welcome bonus

200%/$3,000 + 30 Free Spins

35x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
150+
Payment methods
4
Game providers
73
Min deposit
20
US Players
Accepted
Betonline Casino logo

Betonline Casino Review

USARated 99.18/100%

welcome bonus

100 Free Spins

Play
Number of games
70+
Payment methods
7
Game providers
8
Min deposit
25
US Players
Accepted
gold medal
#1 Crypto 2024
BC.Game Casino logo

BC.Game Casino Review

USARated 99.46/100%

welcome bonus

360%/$220,000

60x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
610+
Payment methods
5
Game providers
64
Min deposit
0.01
US Players
Accepted
USA Icon
U.S. Choice Champion
JazzSports Casino logo

JazzSports Casino Review

USARated 97.96/100%

welcome bonus

200%/$2,000

40x wagering (Deposit & Bonus)

Play
Number of games
83+
Payment methods
7
Game providers
36
Min deposit
10
US Players
Accepted
10/ 10 (100%)

Related News

Thunderkick

Thunderkick Secures Danish B2B Licence Until 2029

Knight Fight

Medieval Rivalries Take Center Stage in Knight Fight

Catemple

ELK Studios Launches Cat-Themed Slot, Catemple

hide-html