Governor Vilsack: No more slot-like machines in Iowa, at least for now
According to a recent report, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack may request that the state Lottery cease further installation of the TouchPlay gaming machines, which many casino industry insiders consider to be too slots-like. Some gambling foes argue that the machines are highly addictive for minors, and state casino operators complain that, although the machines closely resemble slots, they are not being regulated as strictly as real slot machines.
Nearly 4,600 such machines have already been placed in different locations across the state and a great number of additional TouchPlay machines are slated for installation in the next few months. Jennifer Mullin, Governor Vilsack's spokesperson, was reported as saying that, currently, the Governor is considering the option of ordering Iowa Lottery officials to temporarily halt the installation of the slot-like games until receiving a complete report from a state task force, which is expected to provide information regarding the potential effect of these machines on minors.
Touchplay machines are indeed almost identical to slots operated in casinos. However, there is one major difference. While the software powering the Lottery machines predetermines winners, in a manner similar to pull tab games, real slots generate winning combinations on a random basis. Iowa Lottery President Edward Stanek reportedly noted that, over the past several years, he has repeatedly consulted with state legislators regarding the machines, and that the Attorney General's office had announced that, from a legal point of view, the lottery machines are not casino slots.
