Iowa May Expand Casino Market In Des Moines

Iowa is not the first state that comes to mind when thinking about casino gambling. That does not mean, however, that the state has not profited greatly from having a casino in the Des Moines area.

Now, the state might be on the verge of taking their casino options to another level. A consultant firm has confirmed what state regulators had already believed to be true, that Des Moines could support another casino.

Right now in Iowa, over 10,000 people are employed because of the gambling industry. Economically, at a time when the country is in a recession, the gambling industry in Iowa provides over $1 billion a year.

"Certainly if they are supporting one casino and they feel they can support another it would be a good move economically," said observer Harvey Trentle, "If the people of Iowa will show up, then the casino should be built."

The state of Iowa has seventeen licensed casinos operating. The Innovation Group of Littelton, Colorado, has shown through their research that an eighteenth would be feasible, but some community leaders do not believe what the consultant group is selling.

"They would be hard-pressed to put a second casino in," said Jack Bishop, a member of the Prairie Meadows board of directors, "It would be a big surprise if they could justify it." Prairie Meadows is the existing casino that would be hurt the most by another casino in the Des Moines area.

May 13, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!