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Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 613 raises sports wagering tax to 9%, adjusts gambling tax structures, and establishes the major events and tourism fund
Last action · April 18, 2025: Fiscal note.
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate File 613 increases the sports wagering net receipts tax rate from 6.75% to 9%, restructures casino and racetrack gaming taxes, and establishes the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund with a $15 million for 2025-2026. The legislation also repeals the sports tourism marketing program, creates the Iowa horse racing fund, and appropriates $8 million annually from sports wagering receipts to the public safety equipment fund starting in fiscal year 2026-2027.
The measure alters tax rates for commercial gambling operators and reallocates millions of dollars in state revenue toward public safety equipment, horse racing industry distributions, and tourism grants.
- The Economic Development Authority serves as Iowa's lead agency for economic development, business assistance, and tourism promotion. context
- Senate File 613 succeeds SSB 1157 as a committee bill from the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
licensed sports wagering operators
Licensed sports wagering operators are subject to an increased tax rate of 9 percent on net receipts.
excursion gambling boat and structure licensees
Licensees face an increased annual license fee of $10 per person capacity and a revised tax rate of 22 percent on adjusted gross receipts.
Iowa nonprofit organizations
Nonprofit organizations established to promote economic development and tourism are eligible to apply for financial assistance through the major events and tourism program.
Key Facts
- Increases the sports wagering net receipts tax rate from 6.75 percent to 9 percent.
- Appropriates $8 million annually from the sports wagering receipts fund to the public safety equipment fund beginning in the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026.
- Establishes the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Program and Fund under the Economic Development Authority.
- Appropriates $15 million from the sports wagering receipts fund to the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
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- Increases the annual license fee for excursion gambling boats and gambling structures from $5 to $10 per person capacity.
- Imposes a flat adjusted gross receipts tax of 22 percent for excursion gambling boats and gambling structures, and 24.120 percent for racetrack enclosures.
- Creates the Iowa horse racing fund in the state treasury under the control of the racing and gaming commission.
- Repeals the sports tourism marketing program and fund, transferring remaining moneys to the Iowa Major Events and Tourism Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is appropriated for the Iowa major events and tourism fund?
What happens to the sports tourism marketing program?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
21 actions- Apr 18, 2025Iowa LegislatureFiscal note.
- Apr 17, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time, referred to Ways and Means. H.J. 988 .
- Apr 17, 2025HouseMessage from Senate. H.J. 954 .
- Apr 17, 2025SenateImmediate message. S.J. 826 .
- Apr 17, 2025SenateFloorPassed Senate , yeas 47, nays 0. S.J. 823 .
- Apr 17, 2025SenateFloorAmendment S-3108 filed, adopted. S.J. 823 .
Show 15 earlier actions
- Apr 16, 2025Iowa LegislatureFiscal note.
- Apr 16, 2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 818 .
- Apr 16, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on Appropriations calendar. S.J. 817 .
- Apr 16, 2025SenateCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 625 . S.J. 818 .
- Mar 31, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Mar 28, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 03/31/2025 1:30PM Room 217 Conference Room.
- Mar 26, 2025SenateSubcommittee: Koelker, Petersen, and Rowley. S.J. 653 .
- Mar 20, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to Appropriations. S.J. 601 .
- Mar 19, 2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 590 .
- Mar 19, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on Ways and Means calendar. S.J. 588 .
- Mar 18, 2025Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 613 .
- Feb 24, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Feb 20, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 02/24/2025 2:00PM Room 217 Conference Room.
- Feb 19, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Dawson, Bisignano, and Koelker.
- Feb 18, 2025Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Ways and Means.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Consolidation of Sports Tourism Programs
The legislation repeals the sports tourism marketing program and fund while consolidating resources into the newly established Iowa major events and tourism fund.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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