No Break In Gambling Ban Law For Iowa

Iowa gamblers have a plethora of options when it comes to casino gambling, and with many casinos in the state, temptation and addiction are often right around the corner. A new bill, aimed at giving gamblers control of the length of self-help gambling bans was passed recently.

On Monday, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad put an end to the changes, vetoing the bill. Branstad gathered information from gambling addiction experts and doctors before making his decision.

The bill would have changed the current law, which calls for a lifetime ban for those who place themselves on the banned list. Some gamblers have argued that the ban does not allow for any reconsideration.

Lawmakers came up with a bill that would allow gamblers to choose between a lifetime ban, or a five-year ban. It would have allowed gamblers to take a break for five years, and have the option to go back to casinos after the five years was complete.

The doctors consulted by Branstad claimed that gambling addiction is a lifetime ban, and therefore the current laws would be more beneficial to keeping gamblers from relapsing. Branstad took the advice and vetoed the bill.

Iowa has been one of the most liberal states in the US when it comes to casino gambling over the past couple of decades. The state has expanded casino gambling at an alarming rate, keeping up with some of the most prevalent casino states in the country.

Over the past five years, dozens of other states have started expanding their gaming industries as a way to recover from the economic recession. As states have added casinos, Iowa casinos have felt the effects, losing customers to neighboring states.