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Iowa Official Thinks Online Gaming is Inevitable

Posted on March 28th, 2011

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Gambling enthusiasts are optimistic that online casino gaming will become a significant part of Iowan economy; the only question that remains is whether the current bill will make that possible or a new and better legislation in the future will lay claim to that distinction. The gaming history along the Mississippi River is rich. Around twenty years ago, the riverboats started plying the Mississippi route and with it card games and other gaming attractions. Today, there are almost 20 gambling licenses – from the original five – and neighboring states have decided to cash in on the action by passing their own version of bills to authorize state-sanctioned gambling. And oh, we’ve now entered a dry-docked casino phase – there’s no more need for a riverboat ticket to earn you a seat at the card tables.

The one constant fixture for Iowa is Jack Ketterer, the current Racing and Gaming Commission administrator who has been there since the very beginning. Now 63, Ketterer’s ripe years looking at the industry has given him a unique insight at the development of gambling in Iowa, and with it a potential understanding on what can happen in the future. “When you look at how the Internet is pervading society in all industries, I think that it’s foolish not to monitor what’s going on in that arena,” he said. “As Internet gambling is legalized there will be a rush by large, publicly traded companies in the U.S. to participate in the online aspect. I think they will still have their bricks-and-mortar buildings in some places, but will offer online as well.”

Iowa stands to benefit as the first state to allow online gambling should the current bill gain the favor of legislators and citizens alike. New Jersey has already given up that distinction when Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a full-House approved measure on concerns that it doesn’t satisfy the citizen’s wants; instead, he wants the measure to pass through a referendum, not by the ink of his own pen. Iowa, while still nowhere near being confident enough to put the bill through a full House and Senate vote, is certainly seeing less drama than New Jersey did. And for what it’s worth, if Iowa buckles and reneges, Florida and California are already deep into their own versions that could make them the first U.S. state with a licensed online gaming facility. And all that it takes is one state to create a precedent.

Gaming enthusiasts liken its inevitability to the riverboats of 20 years ago. Back then, nobody thought riverboats would pave the way for a revolution in the gaming industry. From riverboats came dry-docked casinos that have become a fixture in the state as well as in others. “It was a slow process to get it started, but it has changed in ways I didn’t think of,” said Sen. Wally Horn (D-Cedar Rapids). “I think it’s done what we wanted it to do. When it started the focus was being family-friendly. The boat employees had to wear period costumes, but it evolved to the point where you see what we have today,” added Rep. Horn reminiscing on the surreal quality of gaming taking root during that period.

In the present, two competing schools of thought are on the verge of creating the next level in gaming – state-by-state legislation or a broad and sweeping federal action. Ketterer believes that twenty years down the line, track businesses will become half of what they are today. He also believes a number of foreclosures will make the industry competitive enough to survive but to challenge the online gaming scene. “Some of the glory years were when it had the monopoly on legalized gambling, that’s not the case anymore. Many of the tracks are only in existence because they are subsidized by casino revenues. Clearly, there’s too much horse racing in the United States.” That revolution is taking root in Iowa today, just like the Mississippi riverboats from twenty years ago. It’s only a matter of time before Iowa pioneers the next step in the gambling industry. As of the moment, however, it’s largely a wait-and-see endeavor.