One step closer

ONLINE poker took that one step closer to legislation on Tuesday when supporters claimed that millions of dollars were being lost in revenue annually to offshore operators.

Democratic Senator Jeff Danielson said Iowa residents’ fork out an estimated $30 million in online poker games every year; this is going to overseas companies running the online games.

“That’s a problem for our overall economy to see that kind of leakage,” Danielson said. Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad said he is open to considering the bill. “In terms of regulating and controlling gambling in this state, our top priority has been to keep it honest, clean, open, transparent and keep the criminal element out,” Branstad said.

Reports states that Nevada and the District of Columbia have voted to legalize online poker but are still drawing up the rules to regulate it.

Branstad is in his fifth term as governor. During that tenure Branstad has signed bills legalizing parimutuel racing and creating a state-run lottery as well as a series of casino-related bills. There are 17 state-licensed casinos operating in Iowa, all of which could contract with an internet provider to run on-line poker games if the bill becomes law.

.