Bill > HF144

This bill introduces comprehensive changes to gambling game regulations in Iowa, focusing on limiting new gambling licenses and enhancing socioeconomic impact studies. Specifically, the bill establishes a moratorium on issuing new gambling licenses from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, capping the total number of licenses at nineteen and restricting them to counties with existing gambling operations as of January 1, 2025. The legislation requires a detailed socioeconomic study on gambling's impact every eight years, mandating an extensive report covering aspects such as financial and societal impacts, problem gambling analysis, market conditions, tourist attraction, community effects, and criminal statistics. The bill also introduces restrictions on issuing new licenses, preventing approvals that would negatively impact existing gambling establishments' revenue or sponsoring organizations' annual distributions. Additionally, the bill allows for some flexibility, such as allowing licensees to move within the same county or transfer licenses upon sale, and prohibits new license applications in a county for eight years if a license is not initially granted. The legislation takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to January 1, 2025, with provisions set to be repealed on July 1, 2031, ensuring a temporary and evaluated approach to gambling game licensing.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

Ways and Means (H)

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF144