Iowa casinos and DFS would be the winners if a new bill, which just passed out of a Senate State Government Committee, becomes law. Casinos would be given the right to operate terrestrial, mobile and online sports betting, and DFS would be 
legalized. Losers so far are the state’s horse racing industry and the Iowa Lottery. Lawmakers have to sift through a variety of proposals, which include putting betting kiosks in grocery stores and paying “integrity fees” to the major leagues. DFS had heavyweight supporters, including the NBA and Major League Baseball. Those two leagues, plus the PGA Tour, however, were largely rebuffed when it came to sports betting. As Drake Law School Professor Keith Miller predicted, “It will be impossible to reconcile all these competing interests.” However, it’s early innings yet for the bill, which has no counterpart in the lower house.
Casinos had the advantage of seniority in the gambling business, whereas the Lottery was viewed as too inexperienced to handle sports betting, in the view of state Sen. Roby Smith (R), the committee chairman. “What’s important for me in this bill is that it ensures integrity but most importantly the safety and protection of those that participate in sports wagering,” he told the Des Moines Register. He got no argument from Iowa Gaming Association President Wes Ehrecke, who termed the bill “an ideal solution.” Some of Ehrecke’s constituents are getting a jump on legislation: Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino has partnered with William Hill to run its eventual (?) sports book.
State Sen. Tony Bisignano (D) was in the minority in more ways than one, saying “we have no idea the tax rates we’re going to charge, the fees and the licenses and how we’re going to deal with fantasy sports.” The question of taxation is expected to be addressed when the House takes up the issue. One quirk of the Senate bill is that it would require punters to register at a casino if they want to engage in mobile or online betting. The casinos, obviously, aren’t complaining about that. DFS operators would have to renew their licenses every three years, while regulation would be financed out of licensing fees. So far, so good. Let’s see what happens.
* Expect a dip in Las Vegas business about nine months hence. A leading economic indicator — retail sales — just hit a 1% speed bump. January numbers from Sin City are expected any day now, with restaurant checks down but room rates booming, up 24% (20% at MGM Resorts International hotels). February is tracking to be an exceptionally good month for conventions, the Strip’s lifeblood, up 65%.
* Suffolk Downs is back in the news, suing Wynn Resorts, asserting that “local corruption” (read: Charles Lightbody) and subsequent revelations (read: sex scandal) 
should have disqualified Wynn for a license. As you would expect, Suffolk wants Wynn’s casino license, while Wynn says the charges are completely without merit. Credit Suisse analyst Cameron McKnight opines, “We expect limited impact from both this case and the broader investigation by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. In our view, consensus expectations are for WYNN to receive a fine but face no more material sanctions.”
* ‘Reality TV’ (otherwise known as hokey fabrications) stopped by Binion’s Gambling Hall this week, ‘documenting’ a pair of evidently skill-challenged strong men as they attempt to cope with the world or “bumble through everyday society” as someone tweeted. ‘Reality’ shows and Las Vegas have the same relationship as Monarch butterflies to milkweed. We don’t know how the former could survive without the latter.
* American Gaming Association President Bill Miller took his show on the road to Tulsa yesterday. And why not? He threw a spotlight on the 75,885 jobs and $4.3 billion in 
wages generated by tribal gaming in Oklahoma. “For nearly three decades, sovereign tribal nations and gaming companies have been engines of growth and opportunity in the state of Oklahoma, creating partnerships with local organizations, supporting small businesses and providing good jobs for workers of all backgrounds,” Miller said, no doubt making some friends among a tribal constituency still watching and waiting to see where the new AGA prexy sets his priorities. Attendees included Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and two members of the Sooner State’s congressional delegation, Kendra Horn and Tom Cole.
