McCarthy sees $25 million gambling expansion in Iowa

Published 3:35 pm Saturday, January 23, 2010

Iowa House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy says lawmakers are crafting a limited expansion of the state’s gambling industry that could bring in an extra $25 million to the state.

A key part of the package would eliminate the requirement that the state’s 17 casinos be ratified again by voters in November.

The proposal also would rule out suggestions that bars would be allowed to install slot machines.

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machines, a move that would offer competition to the state’s casinos.

It also would expand the area within casinos where gambling is allowed, which is currently limited to the gambling floor.

McCarthy spoke Friday during a taping of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.