Ehrecke hails justices’ OK of sports betting, looks to next session
Wes Ehrecke, president of the Iowa Gaming Association, said the state’s 19 commercial and three tribal casinos will look to state lawmakers to pass legislation next session to allow sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court today lifted a ban covering most states.
House File 2448 stalled in the Ways and Means Committee this session. Ehrecke said that is probably because lawmakers were awaiting the Supreme Court’s action.
There were also questions about whether an NCAA ban on holding its tournaments in a place with legalized betting would jeopardize the men’s national basketball tournament games planned in Des Moines next year. That remains up for debate, though the tournament could occur before a law were to take effect.
Ehrecke said he had hoped lawmakers would approve the bill in advance of the expected Supreme Court action clearing the way for legalized gambling on college and professional events. He said the gambling industry will now push for approval early next session.
The bill would allow Iowans of legal age who register at a casino to use a mobile app to bet on sports events while they are in the state, Ehrecke said. They could also bet at the casinos.
The state would get a modest percentage, but it’s hard to say how many bettors will shift from their illegal betting contacts to the new system, he added. Nonprofits that already get money from casinos may also see a small share, he added. The federal government would apply a small excise tax as well.
“This has been an illegal activity that has flourished for 25 years,” Ehrecke said. “A lot of people enjoy this. It would be nice to get this in a more regulated environment. We’re excited about the decision.”
Rep. Jake Highfill, a Johnston Republican who pushed the legislation this year, told the Des Moines Register he will reintroduce the bill next session. “This is already happening, and this will be a great way for states to get a handle on it,” Highfill said. “If you think that putting our heads in the sand and wishing it will go away will stop it, it is not.”
House File 2448 stalled in the Ways and Means Committee this session. Ehrecke said that is probably because lawmakers were awaiting the Supreme Court’s action.
There were also questions about whether an NCAA ban on holding its tournaments in a place with legalized betting would jeopardize the men’s national basketball tournament games planned in Des Moines next year. That remains up for debate, though the tournament could occur before a law were to take effect.
Ehrecke said he had hoped lawmakers would approve the bill in advance of the expected Supreme Court action clearing the way for legalized gambling on college and professional events. He said the gambling industry will now push for approval early next session.
The bill would allow Iowans of legal age who register at a casino to use a mobile app to bet on sports events while they are in the state, Ehrecke said. They could also bet at the casinos.
The state would get a modest percentage, but it’s hard to say how many bettors will shift from their illegal betting contacts to the new system, he added. Nonprofits that already get money from casinos may also see a small share, he added. The federal government would apply a small excise tax as well.
“This has been an illegal activity that has flourished for 25 years,” Ehrecke said. “A lot of people enjoy this. It would be nice to get this in a more regulated environment. We’re excited about the decision.”
Rep. Jake Highfill, a Johnston Republican who pushed the legislation this year, told the Des Moines Register he will reintroduce the bill next session. “This is already happening, and this will be a great way for states to get a handle on it,” Highfill said. “If you think that putting our heads in the sand and wishing it will go away will stop it, it is not.”
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