House Speaker Pat Grassley says he’d like to ensure a new moratorium on casinos would have enough votes to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the governor before the House takes a vote on the proposal.
Last spring, just before the 2024 legislature adjourned, 71 House members voted for a ban on new casino licenses through 2029, but the Senate never considered it. The chairman of a House committee says he’ll introduce a casino moratorium bill this week. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has scheduled a February 6th vote on a casino license for a 275-million dollar “Cedar Crossing” casino in Cedar Rapids, but that would be nixed if lawmakers enact a moratorium before then.
Grassley made his comments during a recent appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS.
