Bill
Bill > SF2134
IA SF2134
IA SF2134A bill for an act relating to gambling, including social gambling between individuals and the operation of poker card rooms, and providing fees.
summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill changes the list of games allowed as social gambling between individuals from games of skill and games of chance, except casino-style games other than poker, to instead include card and parlor games, including but not limited to poker, pinochle, pitch, gin rummy, bridge, euchre, hearts, cribbage, dominoes, checkers, chess, backgammon, pool, and darts. The bill allows a person to apply to the state racing and gaming commission (commission) for a license to operate a poker card room, defined in the bill as a gambling structure that offers poker games, including poker variants, to the public but does not offer any other form of gambling game or wagering. The bill allows a poker card room to offer poker games to persons 21 years of age and older and to charge a rake, defined in the bill as a fee charged by the operator of a poker card room for providing the poker game, collected from each pot or on a length-of-time basis. The bill requires the commission to adopt rules setting maximum rake percentages or structures, as well as rules for the licensing, operation, taxation, and regulation of poker card rooms, including a license fee to be deposited in the general fund of the state.
AI Summary
This bill expands the definition of social gambling to include a wider variety of card and parlor games, such as poker, pinochle, and dominoes, moving away from the previous restriction to games of skill and chance excluding casino-style games. It also establishes a framework for licensed poker card rooms, which are defined as establishments solely dedicated to offering poker games to the public, not other forms of gambling. These rooms will be permitted to charge a "rake," a fee collected by the operator from each pot or based on time, with the State Racing and Gaming Commission (commission) responsible for setting limits on these fees to ensure fairness. The commission will also develop rules for licensing, operation, taxation, and regulation of these poker card rooms, including setting license fees that will go into the state's general fund, and these rooms will be allowed to offer poker to individuals aged 21 and older.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee: Rozenboom, Bisignano, and Schultz. S.J. 190. (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2134 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2134.html |
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