As the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission nears its Feb. 6 meeting on a proposed Cedar Rapids casino, Iowa lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday to set a five-year moratorium on new casino licenses.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, introduced House Study Bill 80, a proposal to retroactively begin a moratorium starting Jan. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. It also sets new standards for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the entity overseeing gaming facilities, from issuing new gambling licenses if the new facility would negatively impact the adjusted gross receipts of existing casinos by more than 10%. If an applicant was denied by the commission, another applicant in the same county could not apply for a license for eight years under the bill.
