A five-year moratorium on new state-licensed casinos easily passed the Iowa House Thursday, but Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair suggests its chances in the Senate are far different.

Sinclair says a provision tucked in the bill that makes the moratorium retroactive to January 1st of this year means there’s no rush to approve the bill before February 6th. That’s when the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to decide whether to grant a state license for a casino in Cedar Rapids. Sinclair says the bill that passed the House on a 68 to 31 vote Thursday will be sent to the Senate State Government Committee next week for review.

The Senate Local Government Committee passed its own version of a casino moratorium Thursday, but Sinclair says that bill also will be referred to the State Government Committee. Sinclair says the pace will allow for an important philosophical conversation.

Sinclair made her comments this (Friday) afternoon during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S.

David Braga – KFJB News