The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ended a busy year with their meeting earlier this month. The commission approved a new casino in Greene County and voted down one in Linn County. They also began the process of shutting down one of the greyhound racing operations under a plan approved by the legislature. Commission chair, Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny, says he doesn’t know of any big issues that may come up in the new legislative session in January.

“Not that I have been made aware of, obviously when we did not approve the license in Linn County, there’s been folks over there that have been talking about seeking some kind of legislative change that would allow them to have a facility,” Lamberti says. But he doesn’t believe anything concrete has come of that talk. “I have not seen anything specific at this time, but that may still be out there,” Lamberti says. The two license applications created extra meetings and work for the commission, and Lamberti says they are glad to see things slow down.

He says they would be happy to see things a little quieter for awhile. The commission does not meet in December. They will continue the work on the plan to shut down the Bluffs Run greyhound track next year as they decide how to dole out the 36-million dollars set aside for those retiring from the dog racing business.

(Radio Iowa)