Iowa county fights for casino gaming revenue

A bill that was vetoed by the Governor would have given Madison County a larger share of money.

US.- Madison County is currently the only county in Iowa that hosts casino gambling but doesn’t receive a share in the revenues. the county is seeking host county status to receive a larger share of money given by the Oneida Indian Nation (OIN) to the state, under the terms of the 2013 compact, which was formed to resolve tax and property issues between the state, the OIN and Madison and Oneida counties.

Madison County officials think that they should get some of the gambling revenue, considering that when the compact was set in place the county didn’t have gaming and now it does. State Senator Dave Valesky thinks there’s still a chance to make it happen: “Governor Andrew Cuomo encouraged his budget director to work with the sponsors of the legislation, myself and Assemblyman McGee, Madison County, to come up with an appropriate revenue sharing arrangement that is fair to Madison County.”

Earlier this month John Becker, Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman, said that he spoke with the Governor and that they’re planning on working together to resolve the issue as quick as possible. The original legislation specified that the county would get 25 percent of the gaming revenue from the Yellow Brick Road Casino and gas station slot machines in the county.

“I really think that this is a matter of all of us rolling up our sleeves again, sharpening the pencils again, and making sure we get something that is fair for Madison County and that all parties understand that is the right direction to go. And I think we’ll get there,” Valesky said.