Midwestern US state of Iowa closer to legalising land-based and online sports betting and daily fantasy sports after bill passes Senate.

Sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) is a step closer to being legalised in the US state of Iowa, after a bill passed the state Senate.

The Senate approved the bill 31-18, and it will now be put forward for debate in the Iowa House.

The bill proposes that both land-based and online sports and DFS wagering (with the exception of DFS betting on collegiate sports) be legalised, with the remit of the existing greyhound and horseracing regulator extended to cover all betting. Following the Nevada model, it suggests a revenue-based tax rate of 6.75%.

Commenting on the developments, Senator Roby Smith said:

“I believe what we’re doing in this bill is the right thing to do. Sports wagering will no longer be acceptable in the dark. The sun is shining and Iowans will be able to participate legally and responsibly.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With a little over 3,100,000 people, Iowa is never going to be one of the most lucrative states for gambling operators, but it’s still good to see a comprehensive legalisation bill which includes online wagering progressing with such convincing support, and it’s yet another one of the dominos falling as sports betting marches west across America.

Just two days ago AYO.NEWS reported that another Midwestern state, Indiana, is also closer to legalising limited sports wagering, after Bill 552 passed the House of Representatives 78-15 in favour (read more).

UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright appears to confirm incoming ban credit card gambling during exchange with shadow Culture Secretary.

It seems the UK government will be introducing a ban on using credit cards to gamble, after comments by Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright appear to confirm the plan.

Speaking in parliament, Wright sympathised with gamblers who’ve racked up huge debts on credit cards, and made it clear that he supported Labour’s call for a ban.

In calling for a ban Tom Watson, the shadow culture secretary, cited one particular woman who he claimed managed to get into more than £100,000 of debt using nine credit cards in just two days, saying:

“The operators which took her bets should be held responsible for their disgraceful conduct,” Mr “No one should go into debt to place a bet.”

In response, Wright replied:

“I have a good deal of sympathy with those who find themselves in the position of the individual he has described. It is important that not just gambling companies but all of us take an interest in the way this kind of problem gambling is developing.

“The Gambling Commission is looking at the specific question of gambling on credit—a process we have encouraged. The Government will intend to take action on the back of what they say,”

The UKGC has already stated that it does not think consumers should be able to use credit cards to gamble, Tom Watson, has repeatedly made it clear that Labour will introduce a ban if they gain power.

AYO.NEWS says:

As usual, gambling has been scapegoated again by a UK political class desperate to hide its own abysmal failings. It is, perhaps, telling that no one questioned how a woman could have access to 9 credit cards in the first place! Could it be that these are symptoms of a much wider problem of appalling financial illiteracy and naivety in the UK – something that is only being exacerbated by headlong rush towards an ever more draconian ‘nanny state.’ For more on this argument see NANNY STATE TO STRIKE AGAIN? UKGC CONTEMPLATES BANNING CREDIT CARDS.

Aspers, Caesars, Genting, Playtech and the Rank Group join the UK’s Senet Group responsible gambling organisation.

The Senet Group, the UK responsible gambling organisation, has welcomed five of the country’s largest casino and gaming companies as new members.

Aspers, Caesars, Genting, Playtech and the Rank Group have all taken their place in the group, joining existing funding partners including GVC (Ladbrokes Coral), William Hill, Paddy Power Betfair, SkyBet and Scotbet.

The new members will sit on the groups quarterly CEO forum, advising the Senet Board and Gillian Wilmot, its independent Chairman.

Since being established in 2014, the Senet Group has promoted responsible gambling standards and socially responsible gambling marketing in the UK. The group is behind the well-known “When the fun stops, stop” tagline, and it also runs the UK high street bookmakers self-exclusion scheme MOSES.

Discussing the new members, Chief Executive of the Senet Group, Sarah Hanratty, said:

“With a great many initiatives and projects underway across the gambling industry, aimed at understanding and reducing problem gambling, the sector needs to improve its ability to collaborate on the development, testing and sharing of interventions which work. 

“Senet is doing its part in leading and facilitating collaborative projects, and I am delighted that our new partners have chosen to recognise the importance of collective leadership on safer gambling.”

While on behalf of the new funding partners, CEO Rank Group plc, John O’Reilly, added:

“This is a significant statement of intent from all five companies who share the view that responsible gambling should be at the heart of our businesses.

“The Senet Group is well placed to deliver an ambitious programme of work, and today’s announcement further strengthens the industry’s wider commitment to ensuring a safer gambling environment can be enjoyed by all customers.  There is a lot to do, an appetite to do it, and we are delighted to be adding our collective muscle to the Senet Group’s work.”

AYO.NEWS says:

With the recent crackdowns by the UK’s Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Advertising Standards Agency (ASA), and the signalling of more to come, the major industry players are obviously keen to be seen to be taking a proactive approach. Whether this will be enough to head off any further tightening of the screws is, however, highly doubtful given the apparent ideological anti-gambling zeal so far displayed by UK authorities.