IA
Iowa Senate Bill SF173

Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF173

Introduced
2/3/25  

Caption

A bill for an act concerning the licensing and regulation of gambling games, including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1069.)

Impact

The bill is designed to ensure that the local impacts of gambling are thoroughly vetted before any new licenses are issued. It mandates that the commission address several critical areas in its socioeconomic study, including the financial ramifications of gambling, the potential rise in problem gambling, and the effects on tourism and existing establishments. The provisions aim to protect existing licensees from significant revenue losses and ensure that any new licenses do not infringe upon the market saturations of current gambling operations.

Summary

Senate File 173 (SF173) is a legislative bill that addresses the licensing and regulation of gambling games in Iowa. A significant component of the bill is the establishment of a moratorium on new gambling game licenses from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, limiting the total number of licenses to a maximum of 19 during this period. This restriction aims to stabilize the gambling market and allows for the examination of the impact of gambling on Iowa's socio-economic landscape. The Iowa racing and gaming commission is required to conduct a comprehensive socioeconomic study during this time, the results of which are to influence future licensing decisions post-2030.

Contention

Notably, SF173 has generated discussion regarding the balance between encouraging economic development through tourism and preserving the livelihoods of existing gambling licensees. Critics of the bill may argue that the moratorium could stifle expansion opportunities for local businesses seeking to engage in gambling operations, and there may also be concerns about increased competition from neighboring states. Moreover, the requirement for a detailed socioeconomic study places a considerable delay on new market entrants, which could affect economic dynamics within Iowa's gambling sector.

Implementation

The bill is set to take effect immediately upon enactment, with retroactive applicability starting from January 1, 2025. This means that all regulations and moratorium conditions will be enforced earlier than the legislative process might typically suggest, reflecting a proactive approach by the legislature in regulating gambling. Overall, SF173 seeks to create a structured framework for the future of gambling in Iowa, prioritizing community impacts and responsible market management.

Latest IA SF173 Activity

View All Events: IA 2025-2026 Regular Session SF173

Companion Bills

IA HF144

Similar To A bill for an act concerning the licensing and regulation of gambling games, including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 80.)

IA HSB80

Related A bill for an act concerning the licensing and regulation of gambling games, including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses, providing fees, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 144.)

IA SSB1069

Related A bill for an act concerning the licensing and regulation of gambling games, including a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 173.)

Previously Filed As

IA SF286

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1136.)

IA HSB719

A bill for an act relating to tax rates on receipts from gambling games.

IA HSB227

A bill for an act providing for advance deposit wagering on gambling games.

IA HF710

A bill for an act relating to the endow Iowa tax credit, making appropriations, and including retroactive applicability and effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 673, HSB 122.) Effective date: 06/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/01/2023.

IA SF2410

A bill for an act relating to agriculture, by providing for the administration of programs and regulations, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 2209, SSB 3052.)

IA SF2209

A bill for an act relating to agriculture, by providing for the administration of programs and regulations, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3052; See SF 2410.)

IA SSB1136

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(See SF 286.)

IA SF562

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system, including by providing for payments associated with indigent defense and representation, the funding of activities relating to consumer fraud and antitrust, a corrections capital reinvestment fund, an Iowa law enforcement academy study, a human trafficking study, and the funding of peace officer retirement, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1214.) Effective date: Enactment, 06/01/2023, 06/30/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 07/01/2022.

IA HF567

A bill for an act relating to nonsubstantive Code corrections, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 159.) Contingent effective date. Applicability date: 01/01/2022, 01/01/2023.

IA HF2510

A bill for an act relating to agriculture, by providing for the administration of programs and regulations, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 560; See HF 2641.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.