Online Gaming on the mind of Iowa Officials

Many different states in the US are considering becoming involved in the online gaming industry in one form or fashion. The states of New Jersey and Delaware already offer online poker and casino gaming while Nevada is strictly an online poker only state. Other states offer lottery ticket sales online, making it easier for gamblers to purchase tickets whenever they like. The state of Iowa is one that has considered online poker in the past and is now looking at online gaming potential in the state.

The state lottery would like to see online gaming come to fruition within Iowa, based on numerous reports coming out of the state. The CEO of the Iowa Lottery, Terry Rich, was speaking before the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee on the subject of online gaming and stated that Iowa must remain competitive.

Rich went on to comment that the opinion of an attorney general is that the lottery has the authority to conduct gaming online. Currently, around 12 states in the US offer lottery gaming online in some form or fashion. However, there are none that offer peer to peer gaming such as Nevada, Delaware and NJ area offering.

In a previous study, not officially conducted by regulators, it was found that gamblers who visit the casinos in Iowa also play online poker. The study showed that half of the casino visitors logged online at least a few times away to play the game. But just like every other state in the US, there is some opposition. In 2012, the senate of the state signed off on a bill for online poker but the House did not move forward with the legislation. It will be interesting to see if additional measures are proposed within the state and if movement is made to allow such gaming to begin.