Since the first casino in Iowa opened in September 1991 the number of licensed operations has risen to thirteen - ten riverboat and three racetrack - and another four riverboat licences were recently approved. Iowa also has three tribal casinos. Now an informal agreement by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will see no further expansion of gaming in the state for at least some years.

The four new licences, at Waterloo, Emmetsburg, Riverside and Worth County, were approved last May and operations are expected to commence in 2007. The Commission at that time rejected five other proposals, and any new projects are likely to be on hold. A poll shows that further gaming expansion would not be popular with voters in Iowa, and a 1998 moratorium on granting new casino licences was only lifted last year. Although a further moratorium has not been adopted formally, it is unlikely that the Commission would consider issuing more licences until the effects of the present expansion is fully assessed.

Isle of Capri is one of the companies awarded a new licence. It is expected to start work on the development in Waterloo in the autumn and open for business by the summer of 2007. Yesterday at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center Isle of Capri brought a touch of Caribbean glamour to celebrate its new venture. The company has handed over $3.5 million as agreed, much of the money going to downtown revitalisation and social projects.

The Black Hawk County Gaming Association received $2.5 million and $1.5 million will go to the downtown area. The rest will be earmarked for a marina or other downtown project. The Mayor of Waterloo has accepted a cheque for $1 million and says $50,000 will go to community youth projects and the YES programme. Property tax relief and capital improvements have been the aim of supporting more gambling in the city. According to Isle of Capri their involvement with the Waterloo community will increase when they have managers and employees living in the area.

In 2004 gross casino gaming revenue in Iowa was $1.064 billion and gaming tax revenue was $252.67 million. At present gaming employees number around 8,800 and casino admissions last year were 19.5 million. (E-07.15.05)

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