Signed by Governor Terry Branstad

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to study whether to authorize Internet poker in Iowa.

Highlights:

• Requires the Racing and Gaming Commission to prepare a report for delivery to the Legislature by December 1, 2011, regarding the creation of a framework for the possible regulation of intrastate internet poker and including the following considerations (Sec. 15):
• The current state of unregulated poker play in Iowa;
• Consumer protections;
• Responsible gaming measures that can be implemented through regulation; and
• The collection of wagering taxes.

• Repeals the requirement that state-licensed casinos submit the proposition to operate gambling games to a countywide referendum at each subsequent eight-year interval and instead requires only that the referendum be approved twice (Sec. 11).

• Establishes regulations on purse moneys for horse racing such that 76 percent is designated for thoroughbred racing, 15.25 percent is designated for quarter horse racing, and 8.75 percent is designated for standardbred racing to be used for the following purposes (Sec. 2):
• The money designated for standardbred racing shall be payable to a nonprofit corporation and may only be used to support standardbred harness racing;
• Of the money designated for thoroughbred racing, 2 percent shall be distributed to an organization representing owners of thoroughbred race horses for the annual operating expenses of the organization and for the promotion and marketing of Iowa-bred horses; and
• Of the money designated for quarter horse racing, 2 percent shall be distributed to an organization representing owners of quarter horse race horses for the annual operating expenses of the organization and for the promotion and marketing of Iowa-bred horses.

• Authorizes advanced deposit wagering, in which an individual may establish an account, deposit money into the account, and use the account balance to pay for pari-mutuel wagering, on horse races (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text