Governor Janet Mills has announced that she will sign a bill to give state tribes a monopoly on online casinos, making Maine the eighth state in the U.S. to legalize iGaming....
Iowa proposes new bill to fight against unlicensed gambling
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing has filed a new bill proposing to grant authority to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to fight against unlicensed gambling platforms.
The proposal was filed in advance of the 2026 legislative session, which begins on January 12.
If the bill is passed, the commission will have the authority to send cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed gambling operators. The bill is aimed at regulating gambling operations that are viewed as harmful to consumers.
Tina Eick, IRGC administrator, mentioned that the commission encounters three types of illegal operations, including fraudulent websites designed to imitate legitimate casino platforms, offshore sports betting sites, and sweepstakes-style gaming sites.
Eick said:
“We have a strong regulatory system that ensures the games are fair. We hold those operators accountable – their information and their funds are secure, and then they have responsible gaming and self-exclusion programs in place, and then we tax them. They pay their fair share of taxes to Iowa.”
Eick also mentioned that under the state’s current law, the commission only has authority to act against casinos and sportsbooks that it licenses, but no clear authority to tackle illegal platforms.
Republican state senator Clay Yarborough has filed a new gambling reform package, called SB 1164, aimed at tightening penalties for illegal gaming in Florida.If passed,...
