Poll Finds Weak Support For Iowa Online Poker

While many Iowa lawmakers are hopeful that online poker can be brought to their state, the residents of their state do not appear nearly as excited about the possibility. According to a new poll by the Des Moines Register, only 28% of Iowa residents support the legalization of internet gambling, meaning the bill could face some stiff opposition in the months to come.

In comparison, 69% said they were opposed to legalizing online gambling in the state. This is actually down from a 2011 poll, which found 73% opposed to such a measure.

The online poker debate was brought back into the spotlight this week, as a subcommittee in the Iowa State Senate unanimously allowed a bill to pass to the full committee stage. The bill would allow the state’s existing gambling operators to partner with online software providers to create a website where gamblers inside the state would be able to play online poker against other Iowa residents.

This comes in the wake of a Justice Department decision that found that the Wire Act only prohibits phone and internet sports betting, and does not apply to other forms of gambling. That ruling has led many states to at least consider the possibility of online poker, as there does not appear to be any law in the United States outlawing the practice. Thus far, only Nevada has drafted regulations that would allow operators to run online poker sites. Federal legislation on online poker appears unlikely for at least the next year.

The poll was part of a broader survey that took opinions from Iowa residents on a variety of topics. The poll, which was conducted by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, surveyed 800 adults in the state between February 12 and 15, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.