Iowa Begins Push For Legalized Sports Gambling

Gambling News - February 5th, 2010 - Written By Glen

Sports betting is widely regarded as the most difficult form of gambling to legalize. The implications from legalized sports gambling are difficult to over come, as many are under the impression that sports gambling leads to corruption. The United States takes a very harsh stance against sports gambling, and there are only four states in the union that can currently host sports gambling through land based enterprises. These states are Oregon, Nevada, Delaware, and Montana.

In order to generate additional funds for the state without boosting taxes, Iowa is considering several changes to their gambling laws, not the least of which is the possibility of sports betting. Even if Iowa manages to legalize the sports wagering, federal law will still inhibit these land based sports gambling venues. It is doubtful, however, that sports gambling in the state will stretch beyond Iowa Online Gambling.

Other possible changes include poker tournaments. Iowa casinos could, provided the legislation changes, see much larger tournaments than those that are already available. Additionally, video gaming machines may appear in bars. This will take away the recurring eight year vote on whether or not gambling changes would occur.

As per usual, opponents to gambling are already in an uproar over the possible drawbacks of gambling. Increased crime, pathological gambling, and other such problems have been cited. Sports gambling also presents the aforementioned possibility of corruption of sporting events, though as Senator Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, will attest, this form of gambling is already taking place.

"The people that do the sports betting, they're doing it now on the Internet," said Dotzler.

Another advantage to regulated sports gambling is a reduction of wagers related to organized crime.

USA Today contributed to this article.