Iowa Senator could introduce new online poker bill
Jeff Danielson given new belief in success of legislation following Wire Act clarification.
Iowa Senator Jeff Danielson could be set to introduce a new online poker bill after the recent Wire Act clarification gave him belief that a “multi-state compact” was a realistic possibility.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission released a report into the impact of regulated online poker last month after egaming elements were stripped out of Danielson’s initial gambling bill in April.
Danielson told newspaper the Des Moines Register that he believed December’s clarification from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) could potentially allow the Hawkeye State to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions which approve intrastate egaming proposals, such as Nevada and the District of Columbia.
Fellow Iowa Senator William Dotzler, who is expected to serve as ‘floor manager’ of any new bill, said: “I think the evidence is pretty clear that Iowans are already gambling online. We are losing a lot of revenue here in the state of Iowa,”
Danielson is yet to begin drafting a new bill, but once it is drafted he expects it to be considered at some stage during the current session.