A member of the Iowa House of Representatives is pushing to rescind part of the state’s gambling laws that would require casinos to maintain lists of people who are barred from sports betting. The rule was put in place in 2019 when sports betting became legal in the state, but does not have to be enacted until 2025.
“There are 38 states that participate in sports gaming, but Iowa is the first one to request or require this list and so we’re sort of on the forefront here,” Rep. Megan Jones said, “and I’m not sure these are waters we’re prepared to go through.”
The big problem Jones, who sponsored House Joint Resolution 2004, has with the rule is that it is will be difficult for casinos to maintain lists of players, coaches, and staff of colleges and professional sports teams who are not allowed to bet on sports. There is too much fluidity in those organizations – student-athletes graduate or transfer, professional athletes are traded or switch teams in free agency, etc. – making it hard for casinos and sportsbooks to keep their lists up to date.
At the same time, the pro sports leagues and the NCAA have their rules about betting and work with third-party companies to help them monitor wagering activity. In that sense, it may not be necessary for casinos to double-up on the efforts.
“What is problematic in this set of rules is that casinos are required to maintain a list of athletes, athletic trainers, coaches and other affiliated person or they can buy a subscription from a company that purports to do the same,” Jones added. “However, there’s only one entity that’s really doing this and their list, for instance, does not include the University of Iowa.”
Jones’ bill was introduced on February 27 and nearly unanimously passed the House on March 6 by a 92-1 vote. It has since moved on to the Senate, where it is the Senate State Government subcommittee. One would think, considering the overwhelming vote in the House, that it will have little trouble in the upper chamber. It seems that there is little desire among Iowa lawmakers to require casinos to do something that is seen as both redundant and easier for the leagues to handle with their third-party partners.
Should the bill make it all the way through the legislative process, it would take effect immediately.