The group that conducted the socioeconomic study of gambling in Iowa presented a report to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Mike Lipsman of the Spectrum Gaming Group says one important thing he found in the study was the impact on existing businesses in casino counties.
He says overall the casinos seemed to spur new growth.
Lipsman says the comparisons of county population, total non-farm personal income, wage and salary income, and employee benefits reveal that, on average, growth rates were slightly higher during the five years following the establishment of casinos than during the prior five years.
The study is required by the state legislature and will be forward to them for review. You can see the full study on the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s website.
