(Spirit Lake)– Gaming was the topic of discussion at Wednesday evening’s Dickinson County Council of Governments meeting.
Curtis Beason, a Davenport attorney who’s well-versed on Iowa’s gaming laws, was the keynote speaker. He told the gathering the Iowa Great Lakes is, indeed, a natural target for any additional gaming license the state may award. He says the infrastructure for such an operation is already here, with the area’s motels, restaurants and other amenities.
Beason says under the current law, a lot of hurdles would have to be cleared before any slot handles could be pulled here. Beason says as of right now the state isn’t issuing any more gaming licenses. He says local officials would need to convince the Iowa Racing and Gaming Association to make another license available. But Beason says there’s a provision in a bill in the state legislature that would allow three new licenses to be issued under a bidding process. Another provision of that bill, according to Beason, would allow a land based casino to be located within a half-mile of a gaming vessel.
Beason says a rumor that the bill eliminates the need for a local referendum on gaming isn’t true.
Beason also outlined the process of petitioning to get a referendum scheduled. He says it’s important local officials decide the mechanics prior to any election…such as how money from an operation would be spent, and which non-profit group or groups would apply for a license. Beason says it’s also a good idea to get a developer lined up and plans drawn in advance of a referendum.
Beason says the bill has made it to the floor of the Senate where it could come up for debate in a couple of weeks or so. It’s uncertain if it will come up at all in the House this session.
