Iowa TouchPlay Ban Will Hurt Small Businesses

As reported by the Forest City Summit: "When Doug Knapper decided to become a distributor for the Iowa Lottery's TouchPlay machines, he never imagined that Legislature would consider pulling the plug just a few months later.

"Gov. Tom Vilsack signed the bill on Monday, a week after the bill made it through the Iowa Legislature.

"…Business has been tough the past few years for the convenience store owner. Knapper figured this would be a way for him to earn some additional income. By becoming a distributor, he not only bought the machines, but he also invested in a heated warehouse as well as a delivery truck.

"In other words, he committed whole-heartedly to the TouchPlay machines, knowing full well the risk he was taking. Still, he never imagined the legislature would change their mind after initially committing to the five-year program.

" 'It seems as if the Legislature is always working against the small businesses,' said Knapper, one of the smallest distributors in the state of Iowa.

"…More than 6,000 of the TouchPlay machines have been deployed to bars, convenience stores, grocers, restaurants and retail locations around the state. The number was expected to grow more than 10,000 until Vilsack placed a moratorium on new machines in Jan.

"…Some businesses that have invested money in TouchPlay machines or signed TouchPlay contracts have threatened to sue, claiming they will lose money if the machines are banned…"