Iowa’s Top iGaming Proponent Doesn’t Plan to File a New Bill

Iowa State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, one of the staunchest supporters of iGaming in the state, said that he doesn’t have any plans to introduce a new online casino bill. However, he emphasized that he would continue to support such efforts if they were introduced by someone else.

Kaufmann Is No Longer Qualified to Introduce an Effective Bill

Kaufmann was the mastermind behind HSB 227, a bill that sought to legalize iGaming in the Hawkeye State. The bill, however, died in committee, dashing the representative’s hopes for legal online casino gaming in Iowa.

In an interview with Casino Reports, Kaufmann said that he doesn’t believe that he is “the right lawmaker” to file the next round of iGaming legislation. As he is no longer the State Government Committee chairman, he believes that it is not his role to introduce gambling study bills.

Kaufmann added that he could and may be interested in individually sponsoring a measure but it wouldn’t have the potency of a study bill.

Study bills, for context, head straight to committee before ever seeing action on the House or Senate floor. As a result, they skip a legislative step, making them easier to pass. Conversely, regular bills risk never reaching a committee after being filed.

Kaufmann Hasn’t Given Up on Iowa iGaming Yet

Kaufmann, for reference, is chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. This means that future iGaming bills could theoretically go through that committee. In his interview with Casino Reports, Kaufmann explained:

I can tell you if iGaming makes it to Ways and Means, I will be supportive.

State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann

Experts attributed the lack of iGaming traction to the priority land-based casinos have been taking. On July 1, a two-year moratorium on new casinos in Iowa ended. As a result, casino interests have been eyeing Cedar Rapids, the state’s second-biggest city.

The Linn County Gaming Association has already teamed up with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment to construct a $250 million property in the city.

In other news, Brenna Bird, Iowa’s Attorney General, recently sought the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against the state by athletes who were accused of placing illegal sports bets in a huge scandal. The sports professionals were suspected of placing wages through other people’s accounts, causing them to pay fines or be temporarily suspended.