With the US Supreme Court lifting the federal ban on sports betting, some in the Hawkeye State are ready to welcome sports betting with open arms.
So when the Iowa Legislature convenes next January, State Representative Jake Highfill says he'll have a bill on the table legalizing sports betting. He tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB that legalization will provide better control. "Once you register at the casino, verify you're 21, verify you're not a problem gambler, the whole nine yards, you can use your mobile app. I think the reason that gambling is kinda going away, kinda underground, is because people want it easy."
Highfill says legalizing it would ensure that sports wagering is under the scrutiny of state gaming officials, rather than the black market approach to betting on sporting events. "What we're doing is not working. We have to change the narrative. We have to bring this out from the shadows and bring this in the light."