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SF 613

A bill for an act concerning the regulation and support of leisure activities, including by providing for gambling enforcement, license fees, tax rates, and the use of associated revenue, establishing the Iowa major events and tourism program and fund, modifying the sports tourism marketing and infrastructure program, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa bill restructures gambling regulation, adjusts license fees and tax rates, establishes tourism and major events fund from gaming revenue.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 625.
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Bill Summary · SF 613

Legislative bill overview

SF 613 (renumbered as SF 625) comprehensively restructures Iowa's gambling regulation and enforcement while establishing a new major events and tourism program funded through gambling revenues and license fees. The bill modifies tax rates on gambling operations and redirects associated revenue to support tourism marketing, sports events infrastructure, and related appropriations.

Why is this important

This bill directly affects Iowa's gaming industry's operational costs and competitive positioning, while creating new funding mechanisms for tourism and event development that could boost economic activity. The revenue structure changes will impact both gaming establishments' profitability and state resources available for tourism promotion and major event hosting.

Potential points of contention

  • Tax and fee burden on gaming industry: Higher license fees or modified tax rates could reduce operator margins and competitiveness, particularly for smaller establishments
  • Revenue allocation priorities: Debates likely over how gambling-generated revenue should be split between gaming enforcement, tourism programs, sports infrastructure, and general state coffers
  • Program effectiveness and oversight: Establishing new programs requires clear accountability mechanisms; concerns may arise about whether the major events and tourism fund produces measurable returns on investment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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