Internet poker is once again being considered in Iowa with Senate Bill SSB 1068. This is reportedly similar to the 2012 bill that passed the Senate but could not get though the House.
This bill is a poker-only bill and asks for 22-24 percent of adjusted gross receipts, which seem out of line compared to other jurisdictions that take half or a quarter of that amount. But at least something is being considered.
If passed, this is expected to raise $3 million to $13 million yearly for the state. One important thing left out of this bill is the requirement to segregate player funds from the online poker room’s general fund. This would seem to be a no-brainer looking at online poker’s recent past. Hopefully the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will make that part of the regulations it rolls out once given oversight.
HORSESHOE: The Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs will host a World Series of Poker Circuit event April 11-22. Also, the poker room brought back the bad-beat jackpot in February. This is sure to climb high as quads must be beaten to claim it. The room offers other high-hand bonuses as well paying extra for straight flushes and quads in hold’em games and steel wheels in Omaha.
MESKWAKI: The Mid-States Poker Tour will return to Meskwaki Casino Bingo Hotel on March 30-April 7. The prize pool guarantee will be $300K, so it’s sure to it’s sure to draw some good tournament and cash-game action.
— Ken Warren is Ante Up’s Iowa Ambassador. You can email him at anteupken@gmail.com.
