State legislators are planning to reintroduce a moratorium on new casino licenses during the 2025 legislative session, after allowing the previous two-year moratorium to expire. Lawmakers are concerned about the potential impact of a new casino on the profitability of existing casinos in the state. State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann intends to introduce a new casino moratorium bill at the beginning of the legislative session to address these concerns.
The previous efforts to extend the moratorium failed to gain traction in the Senate last session, but there is renewed interest in revisiting the issue. While some lawmakers, like Sen. Jason Schultz, are unsure about supporting another moratorium, others, like State Rep. Ken Croken, express concerns about the financial effects of a new casino on existing operations in their districts.
A Cedar Rapids casino development group, Cedar Crossing, has already applied for a casino license following the expiration of the previous moratorium. The group believes that a new casino would benefit the local community through job creation, economic stimulus, and charitable contributions. However, the fate of their application remains uncertain if a new moratorium law is passed before it is approved.
Cedar Crossing officials are optimistic about their application and look forward to presenting their vision to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The IRGC plans to vote on the Cedar Crossing application in February 2025. Overall, there are differing opinions among lawmakers and industry stakeholders about the potential impact of a new casino on Iowa’s gaming industry, setting the stage for a contentious debate in the upcoming legislative session.
Source
Photo credit iowacapitaldispatch.com
