Iowa House Passes Sports Betting Bill

The Iowa House has passed a bill for legalising betting on sporting events and fantasy sports. The bill has been sent the governor for consideration.

The Senate gave its approval and the bill now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds who has said she will await the final version of the bill to decide whether she will sign it.

The bill authorises the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to establish rules for betting on professional, collegiate and international sporting events, including motor racing.

The bill also legalises fantasy sports contests and internet fantasy sports betting but delays betting based on college sporting event statistics until May 2020.

The commission regulates the 19 state-licensed casinos in Iowa. Once the rules are set up by the commission as early as this summer sports bets can be placed at casinos or on a mobile application they establish.

Sports betting would be limited to those 21 and older, and the bill sets a 6.75% tax on net receipts. Taxes and licensing fees could bring in estimated annual revenue of $2.3 million to $4 million annually.