Iowa governor considering Internet poker

[The Buzz]

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said he hasn't ruled out the possibility of backing a bill that would legalize online poker in the state.

The measure has been approved by a Senate committee and is awaiting debate in the full Senate.

From Business Week:

Branstad said he would need to learn more about the proposal if it cleared the Legislature and reached his desk, and acknowledged that many Iowans already play poker illegally on the Internet using sites based outside the country.

"Some of the people who are promoting it are saying, 'You've got this illegal offshore gambling that's going on,'" Branstad said at a news conference. "We want to prevent that from occurring and this would be a way of having it done legally instead of it being done illegally without the state getting any benefit from it."

[cassy]

Considering poker being legal on the state will be a great help on the economy. Furthermore, Iowans would not have to deal with those illegal sites. Thus, preventing Iowan residents from gambling illegally and helping to boost the industry on the state ethically.

[davenewgates]

If Branstad is saying that he wanted to protect the integrity of the state then why have he consider the legalization of the bill? Better yet find a strong solution to stop offshore illegal gambling.