Iowa gamblers would be able to legally wager on sporting events if Congress and the Iowa Legislature play ball.
Two Democratic senators introduced separate measures Thursday seeking to give the state Racing and Gaming Commission authority to allow state-licensed racetracks and
riverboat casinos to offer
sports betting to patrons if a federal prohibition is lifted.
The federal professional and amateur sports protection act of 1992 made sports betting illegal in all but a handful of U.S. states. However, Kibbie and Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, say current restrictions are being challenged in court and there are efforts to convince Congress to change the law.
They have offered slightly different versions - Sodders' bill mentions professional sports only, while Kibbie authored a measure that would give Iowa gambling regulators the go-ahead if federal law does not prohibit professional and amateur sports betting in Iowa.
Sodders said the fact that huge sums of money will be wagered on the upcoming Super Bowl is evidence there is consumer interest in betting on sporting events. He said channeling the activity through state-regulated outlets would help prevent problems associated with clandestine betting options.
United States of America read article Update: Danish License for Betsson.
