Casino supporters and opponents can still voice their opinions this November.
OTTUMWA, IOWA -- On Tuesday evening, the Wapello County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting...one of the topics was to discuss a date for the "Gambling Referendum."
Voters already approved this referendum years ago, clearing the way for a potential casino license if an opportunity arises and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approves.
Wapello County Supervisor Steve Siegel said voters need to approve or deny this measure every eight years.
"State law 99F wants everybody on the same 8-year schedule. So it's 2002, 2010, 2018 and so on. The code says 'The supervisors shall place this issue on the ballot.' So we shall. We are going to have a general election anyway, and that's what all the other communities are doing...so it will presumably be on the ballot this fall," Supervisor Siegel said.
The general election is scheduled for November 2nd.
"What it will be is whether or not we are eligible for a license. If the community votes it up, and the Racing and Gaming [Commission] offered an opportunity at licenses down the road, we would be eligible. If they vote it down, then we can't vote again for 8 years and we would not be eligible," Siegel said.
KTVO asked Siegel if the county is going to pursue another casino bid in the future...
"I think we want to keep our options open, but more of the point in this current situation, the voters did pass it and deserve another chance on deciding whether they want to continue or not. So the voters will be the ones to decide whether we will, somewhere down the road, make another stab at this or not," Supervisor Siegel said.