Iowa online poker proposal clears first hurdle

The US Midwestern state of Iowa has taken another step that could potentially see it legalise intra-state online poker after proposed legislation made it through a three-member panel earlier this week. Senate Study Bill 3164 now heads to the full Senate State Government Committee for debate, possibly later this week.

According to a report from the Associated Press, supporters of the proposed legislation believe that residents already gamble online without the benefits of regulation while the state receives no revenues. It commented that the measure would allow the state's casinos and racetracks to offer online and put native gaming regulators in charge.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission recently issued a study outlining how the state could structure intra-state online poker with projections showing that legalising the game could generate up to $13 million for local coffers.