I've asked the question of who cannot have some of these machines? How about my daughter's gift shop. If this is such a money maker, why can't anyone have one?
Someone suggested they put them in the rotunda of the Capitol. Gambling is out of control in Iowa. Not good.
http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4450205&nav=2HAB
TouchPlay Wars
Des Moines, February 2, 2006 - A war of words at the statehouse...were lawmakers duped and should the lottery boss get fired? Lawmakers chastized lottery head Ed Stanek at a statehouse hearing today. They say Stanek misled them. They didn't know TouchPlays would end up on almost every corner bar and grocery store in Iowa.
Forget the tens of millions Ed Stanek makes for Iowa his critics say. The house speaker said "Stanek is misleading members of the general assembly." He also said that the Iowa lottery has lost its credibility, and that Stanek has lost the confidence of Rants. The speaker says Stanek even admitted he didn't know how much TouchPlays had spread. Stanek first told them he'd cap the games at 4,000 in Iowa. Then he said 7,000. He failed to realize businesses already made room for more than 10,000. Rants would strip Stanek of his power. He'd make the commission that oversees casinos also oversee the lottery.
The governor says the same group can't watch over competitors. "I think the lottery has the reputation of being the most well managed, effectively managed and honestly managed games in the country."
The Iowa TouchPlay coalition also came to Stanek's defense. The group said, "To say the Iowa lottery authority tried to pull a fast one is ridiculous."
Stanek defended his honor and acknowledged his criticism. He says, "We have the run the lottery in an open and honest fashion."
Speaker Rants say he'll lead efforts here to put the lottery under the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Former Commission head Mike Mahaffey told Channel 13 tonight that would put the future of Stanek's job in the commission's hands. That commission could also have a huge say in how many or any TouchPlays stay in Iowa.