Iowa Online Poker Bill to be Fast Tracked Through Committee This Week

A bill to legalize Internet poker in Iowa is anticipated to be fast tracked through the legislative committee over the coming days.

Iowa could potentially become a Midwest hub for online poker should a system be put in place similar to that of the multi-state Powerball lottery. 

From the Quad City Times: 

A late-arriving bill to bring illegal online poker activities beamed into Iowa from offshore operations under state regulation is expected to get fast-track consideration in subcommittee on Monday.

The likelihood of Monday being the target day seems highly unlikely since it is a nationally observed holiday across the U.S. (President’s Day). 

Iowa is one of around a dozen states now considering legalizing Internet poker after the U.S. Justice Department decided it would no longer apply the Wire Act to any form of gambling other than sports betting.  This sudden change of stance - arrived at last September but only made public in late December – essentially provided state governments with a green light to legalize Web poker and other online casino games without fear of violating federal law. 

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher