Considering the millions of dollars in revenue up for grabs, it was a bargain. Combined, those groups spent $615,000 and change on lobbyists. Twelve casino corporations, online gambling sites and other groups were registered in support of the final version of the sports betting bill, Senate File 617. Well, it may have been suggested by some lobbyists. And maybe you're wondering why our lawmakers thought it was a good idea to expand gambling in Iowa, again. I guess you can bet on baseball, good luck with that, or preseason NFL football, what are you thinking? So the real action won't start until the end of August and into September, when college football and the NFL kick off their regular seasons. On August 15 at noon, at least some of the 18 casinos seeking sports betting licenses will be up and running and taking bets. Or, in the case of Cedar Rapids, not as near as you might like. Speaking of games, you may have read that sports betting is coming soon to a state-licensed casino near you. It's almost as if the inhabitants of the Golden Dome of Wisdom don't want us to get wise to the game.
And like so many state disclosures involving the influence of special interest money on our politics and lawmaking, they're reported in a piecemeal fashion that makes broad analysis difficult, unless you've got time on your hands.