The fight to keep video lottery in Iowa is heating up. Governor Tom Vilsack approved a ban on the state's lottery TouchPlay machines, giving businesses 45 days to shut them down.
It's a move that's not sitting well with owners, but it also could cost the state millions of dollars in revenue.
They look a lot......and sound a lot......like a slot machine you'd find in Vegas.
"You don't have to drive to a casino anymore, you can just play these," said Dan Viereck, manager of the Trophy Case Bar in Larchwood, Iowa.
That's exactly why some Iowa lawmakers are having second thoughts about these machines, saying they were misled when they approved them in 2002.
But convenience stores and bars in Larchwood, Iowa with TouchPlays, fear they'll lose business to neighboring South Dakota, which also has video lottery, if the governor pulls the plug on the machines.
"Ever since we've gotten them,we've had people coming in from out of town,in town, just everybody likes to play them," said Viereck.
TouchPlays are a huge money generator for the state of Iowa. According to the lottery office, TouchPlays took in over $242 million dollars since July.
"I don't see why they would want to ever take them out, the state's making that kind of money that quick," said Viereck.
And shutting TouchPlay machines down for good,leaves business owners worried their customers could leave Iowa just as fast.
The House has passed a measure that would allow the machines to remain until September. Governor Vilsack says he'll sign the legislation if approved by the Senate.
the Bible Belt and the Farm Belt.....all rolled into one...belt....so why am I not surprised by this??w/all due respect to Iowa, everyone isn't about making a fast buck on gambling..........
the Bible Belt and the Farm Belt.....all rolled into one...belt....so why am I not surprised by this??w/all due respect to Iowa, everyone isn't about making a fast buck on gambling..........
Well, now let's see......3/26/2006
the Bible Belt and the Farm Belt.....all rolled into one...belt....so why am I not surprised by this??w/all due respect to Iowa, everyone isn't about making a fast buck on gambling..........
Well, now let's see......3/26/2006
the Bible Belt and the Farm Belt.....all rolled into one...belt....so why am I not surprised by this??w/all due respect to Iowa, everyone isn't about making a fast buck on gambling..........
Don't forget the Capital BELT-way!