Pierre, South Dakota – A proposed constitutional amendment that could lead to a huge casino in Sioux Falls was approved Wednesday by a South Dakota Senate Committee. The measure’s main sponsor, Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem of Sioux Falls, said SJ1 is not aimed at building a Sioux Falls casino but is intended to be a threat to prevent construction of a casino in Larchwood, Iowa, only a few miles from Sioux Falls.

Tama – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission announced Nov. 13 a decision to seek two additional studies on the feasibility of adding more casinos in the state. However, Tama Mayor Chris Bearden indicated he was not convinced more studies of the Iowa gambling industry were needed. Bearden was scheduled to take part in a conference call Tuesday concerning the commission stance.

Carter Lake, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge has combined lawsuits filed by Nebraska and Iowa opposing the Ponca Tribe’s plans to build a casino in Carter Lake. Iowa claimed in its lawsuit that the tribe shouldn’t be allowed to build the casino because it deceived the federal government to get land in Carter Lake placed in a trust. The tribe had previously said it planned to use the land to provide health care services.

People in Iowa bars would be prohibited from smoking but gamblers on casino floors could keep puffing under a proposed statewide tobacco ban compromise that a legislative panel reached Monday. The decision could end weeks of disagreement among lawmakers about how far a smoking ban should go. House members could vote as early as today on the compromise, which prohibits smoking in the majority of public places in Iowa.

Des Moines (AP) — The gambling industry brought USD 1 billion to Iowa in 2007, according to a state report. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission report shows the 17 riverboat and racetrack gambling facilities — regulated by the state — provided salaries, wages and employee benefits last year, totaling almost USD 280 million, according to a copyright article in The Des Moines Register.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will not authorize new casino licenses and will seek a study on the impact of new casinos. The five member commission made its decision Thursday morning at a meeting in Johnston. At least five communities have said they want to build new casinos: Fort Dodge, Franklin County, Newton, Ottumwa and Tama. Iowa has 20 casinos, and it’s been three years since the state accepted new applications.

Casino gambling in Iowa began with quaint riverboats, grew into gargantuan gambling palaces and may soon grow even more. On Thursday, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will begin discussing whether to issue more casino licenses. The outcome of those talks will have ramifications across the state, in the 17 licensed casinos, in the five communities that hope to open new casinos and in the minds of Iowans on both sides of the debate over gambling expansion.

Clinton, Iowa (AP) – The Mississippi Belle II Casino will make its final voyage on Oct. 10, ending the riverboat gambling era in Iowa. Riverboat gaming took float in Iowa in 1991 on the Mississippi River. Boats would take guests out onto the river, where they would enjoy the view while having dinner and placing bets on casino games. Now, the focus is on glitzy slot machines and table games.

Des Moines – Iowa’s casino industry pumped USD 1.01 billion into the state’s economy last year, according to a report by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Casinos paid out USD 265 million in wages and benefits, and more than USD 347 million was paid to Iowa companies for equipment, supplies and services.