SF 2134 (LSB 6151XS (3) 91)

SENATE FILE 2134

BY  GREEN

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to gambling, including social gambling between individuals and the operation of poker card rooms, and providing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 99B.45, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended by striking the paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   a.  Card and parlor games, including but not limited to poker, pinochle, pitch, gin rummy, bridge, euchre, hearts, cribbage, dominoes, checkers, chess, backgammon, pool, and darts.
    Sec. 2.  Section 99F.1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsections:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  23A.  “Poker card room” means a gambling structure licensed under this chapter that offers poker games to the public but does not offer sports wagering, other forms of gambling games pursuant to this chapter, or pari-mutuel wagering pursuant to chapter 99D.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  23B.  “Poker variant” means any form of poker using playing cards, including but not limited to Texas hold ’em, Omaha, seven-card stud, razz, draw poker, and any other recognized poker game or variation approved by the commission by rule.
   NEW SUBSECTION.  27A.  “Rake” means a fee charged by the operator of a poker card room for providing the poker game, collected from each pot or on a length-of-time basis, not to exceed limits established by the commission by rule.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  99F.5B  License to operate poker card room.
   1.  A person may apply to the commission for a license to operate a poker card room as provided in this section.
   2.  A poker card room may offer any poker variant to persons twenty-one years of age or older.
   3.  A poker card room may charge a rake as provided by the commission by rule. The commission shall establish maximum rake percentages or structures to ensure fairness and prevent excessive fees.
   4.  The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the licensing, operation, and regulation of, and the collection of taxes imposed pursuant to section 99F.11 from, poker card rooms, including but not limited to licensing fees, background checks, facility standards, game integrity, recordkeeping, anti-money laundering measures, and consumer protection. Licensing fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the general fund of the state.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill changes the list of games allowed as social gambling between individuals from games of skill and games of chance, except casino-style games other than poker, to instead include card and parlor games, including but not limited to poker, pinochle, pitch, gin rummy, bridge, euchre, hearts, cribbage, dominoes, checkers, chess, backgammon, pool, and darts.
   The bill allows a person to apply to the state racing and gaming commission (commission) for a license to operate a poker card room, defined in the bill as a gambling structure that offers poker games, including poker variants, to the public but does not offer any other form of gambling game or wagering. The bill allows a poker card room to offer poker games to persons 21 years of age and older and to charge a rake, defined in the bill as a fee charged by the operator of a poker card room for providing the poker game, collected from each pot or on a length-of-time basis. The bill requires the commission to adopt rules setting maximum rake percentages or structures, as well as rules for the licensing, operation, taxation, and regulation of poker card rooms, including a license fee to be deposited in the general fund of the state.