Dia Online Gambling Consultation

Online bingo sites are not as popular as California online casinos, or online sportsbooks and poker rooms in the state of California, but there are a few who still enjoy them. For those who wish to join an online bingo hall, we have provided you with safe and entertaining choices in our list of online casino sites, where you will find fun. On Wednesday, New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) launched a consultation to determine the general public’s views on a potential expansion of the country’s online gambling.

The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) is a multifaceted regulatory agency charged with protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Iowans.

DIA staff is responsible for inspecting and licensing or certifying health care providers and suppliers, restaurants and grocery stores, social and charitable gambling operations, and hotels and motels. In addition, DIA staff investigates alleged fraud in Iowa's public assistance programs and conducts contested case hearings to settle disputes between Iowans and various State and local government agencies. Learn more about the department and find links to Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Rules.

If you need to visit the department, the main office is located on the Capitol complex in Des Moines.

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
Lucas State Office Building, Third Floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083

Phone: 515.281.7102

Department Director

Larry Johnston, Jr., is the director of DIA. He was appointed to this role by Governor Kim Reynolds on March 1, 2019.

Johnson previously served as the State public defender. In this role, he managed an organization with a $60 million budget and 220 employees in 19 offices throughout the state with the focus of providing the Constitutional right to counsel. Johnson served as legal counsel and deputy legal counsel for more than six years for Governor Terry E. Branstad and then-Lt. Governor Reynolds. As counsel, he served on the Iowa Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee as the governor’s ex officio representative. He collaborated with the information technology team in the design and development of a web-based application and award-winning website, rules.iowa.gov, that streamlined the regulatory review process. Prior to working in the governor’s office, he practiced administrative law in Des Moines.

Johnson received his law degree from Creighton University School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science in management from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. While in college, he studied in Spain at the University of Seville’s School of Economics and Business.

Department Structure

Essential, centralized support services for DIA are administered by and coordinated through the Administration Division. Division staff oversee all strategic planning, financials and budgeting, legislative affairs, administrative rulemaking, personnel, purchasing, and public information activities for the department.

Food and Consumer Safety Bureau

The Food and Consumer Safety Bureau is responsible for administering and enforcing the Iowa Food Code (Iowa Code Chapter 137F) by conducting food safety inspections at food establishments (grocery stores, restaurants, bars, farmers markets, home bakeries, convenience stores, etc.) and food processing plants. The purpose of the Iowa Food Code is to 'safeguard the public health and provide to consumers, food that is safe, unadulterated and honestly prepared.' The Food Code is based upon food safety recommendations developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in consultation with representatives from the food industry and regulators, and focuses on public health and the prevention of foodborne illness.

Learn more about food business licensing.

Social and Charitable Gambling Unit

The Social and Charitable Gambling Unit administers Iowa Code Chapter 99B, which regulates games of skill or chance, raffles, bingo, social gambling and amusement devices. Qualified organizations may obtain a social or charitable gambling license to conduct fund-raising activities benefiting educational, civic, public, charitable, patriotic, or religious purposes.

Learn how to apply for a social and charitable gambling license.

Indian Gaming Compacts

The director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals is authorized to enter into and implement agreements or compacts between the State of Iowa and Native American tribes in the state. Gaming compacts are executed under the authority of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C section 2701 et seq.). The agreements (compacts) shall contain provisions intended to implement the policies and objectives of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Three tribal gaming compacts were first negotiated in 1992, authorizing casino-type gaming in the State of Iowa. Learn more about the Tribal Gaming Commissions. If you’re interested in viewing the compacts, please submit a public information request.

• The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska began operation of WinnaVegas Casino near Sloan on April 30, 1992.
• The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska began operation of CasinOmaha near Onawa on June 22, 1992. The casino was renamed Blackbird Bend in April 2013.
• The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa began operation of Meskwaki Bingo and Casino near Tama on December 31, 1992.

The Administrative Hearings Division of DIA conducts contested-case and other administrative proceedings for nearly all State agencies and some local government agencies.

The division is authorized by the legislature in Iowa Code 10A.801, and is governed by the Iowa Administrative Procedures Act, Iowa Code chapter 17A, the division's administrative rules, and the relevant statutes and rules of the agency for which the division is conducting a particular contested case proceeding.

Administrative Law Judges

Administrative law judges (ALJs) within the Administrative Hearings Division have the following responsibilities:

• Preside over telephone or in-person hearings
• Rule on motions or objections
• Decide cases fairly and impartially
• Write proposed agency decisions in cases on many topics, including driver’s licenses revocations and child abuse assessment proceedings

Jurisdiction

The Administrative Hearings Division of DIA conducts administrative proceedings for nearly all State agencies and some local government agencies. While the division is required to conduct certain contested case proceedings by statute or administrative rule, it is also authorized under section 10A.801(5) of Iowa Code to conduct any proceeding for any governmental entity on a contract basis.

The majority of the division's cases are conducted for the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The Health Facilities Division is the designated state survey and certification agency, responsible for state licensure and federal certification of Medicare and Medicaid programs and other health care providers and suppliers operating in the state of Iowa. DIA provides oversight for nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, hospitals, hospices, home health agencies, programs and facilities caring for children, assisted living programs, and elder group homes.

Survey teams from the division conduct unannounced on-site inspections at health care facilities to assess the quality of care and services provided to clients, patients, residents, and tenants. If problems are discovered during an inspection, the division can initiate corrective and/or disciplinary action to assure a facility's compliance with State and federal rules. Health Facilities Division personnel also investigate complaints alleging improper care or treatment of patients, residents, and tenants in licensed and certified entities.

The Investigations Division audits health care facilities, and conducts criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of fraud and misconduct. Staff within the division work closely with other State and local partners in identifying fraud, waste, and abuse, and where appropriate, forward cases to federal, State, and local officials for prosecution.

Investigations Division Units

• Abuse Coordinating Unit—Assists with the detection, investigation and prosecution of civil, administrative dependent adult abuse investigations in health care facilities.
• Economic Fraud Control Unit—Investigates recipient public assistance fraud and food assistance trafficking. Investigates the transfer or assignment of a legal or equitable interest in property from a Medicaid transferor to a transferee for less than fair market value.
• Human Services Audits Unit—Performs expenditure audits of local Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) offices to determine eligibility for federal reimbursements and to ensure compliance with State and federal funding requirements. Audits also are performed at residential care facilities, nursing facilities, and residential and intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, to ensure that residents’ funds are being properly maintained. The audits are used to verify that Medicaid reimbursement procedures meet all applicable government requirements.
• Medicaid Fraud Control Unit—Investigates allegations of fraud committed by providers against the Medicaid program and fraud in the administration of the Medicaid program. Additionally, investigates abuse/neglect and other crimes committed upon residents in care facilities or related programs that receive funding from the Medicaid program.
• Professional Standards Unit—Investigates licensed professionals for the Professional Licensure Bureau of the Iowa Department of Public Health.
• Public Assistance Debt Recovery Unit—Investigates and initiates collections of overpayment debts owed to DHS.

Four units are attached to the department, for administrative support purposes. Each unit, like DIA's major divisions, has Iowa Code-mandated duties and responsibilities.

Child Advocacy Board

The Child Advocacy Board ensures that the foster care system is working to place each Iowa foster child in a permanent home. In addition, CAB administers the State's Court-Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), which is designed to protect the rights of Iowa’s foster children in all court-related activities.

Employment Appeal Board

The three-member Employment Appeal Board is appointed by the governor and serves as the final administrative law forum for State and federal unemployment benefit appeals. The board also hears appeals of rulings of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and rulings of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). The three members of the board are appointed to represent employers, employees, and the general public. In addition to unemployment cases, the board hears appeals involving peace officer issues and contractor registration requirements. The board receives 96 percent of its funding from the federal government based on the number of appeals heard and the time taken to render a decision.

Board Members:
Ashley Koopmans, Chair, Public Representative
James Strohman, Vice Chair, Labor Representative
Myron Linn, Board Member, Management Representative

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates pari-mutuel dog and horse racing, commercial gambling facilities, sports wagering, and fantasy sports contests in Iowa.

State Public Defender’s Office

The mission of the State Public Defender is to provide high-quality legal representation to impoverished clients who are accused of committing crimes or involved in juvenile court matters.

NOTICE: The DIA website is available only for filing an online annual gambling report. If you want to apply for a social or charitable gambling license, you will need to fill out a paper application. Please download the appropriate application below and mail the completed packet including payment to our office.

You may obtain a paper copy of the annual gambling report by contacting our office either by phone at 515.281.6848 or by email at scg@dia.iowa.gov. This report is due on Jan. 31 each year and covers the previous calendar year. A notice is mailed in early January each year to all nonprofit organizations that had a license at any point during the reporting period. The notice includes instructions on where and how to complete the annual report.

The Social and Charitable Gambling Unit administers Iowa Code Chapter 99B, which regulates games of skill or chance, raffles, bingo, social gambling and amusement devices. Qualified organizations may obtain a social or charitable gambling license to conduct fund-raising activities benefiting educational, civic, public, charitable, patriotic, or religious purposes.

Sales Tax Information

Gambling receipts are subject to Iowa sales tax, even for nonprofit organizations. All taxes are payable to the Iowa Department of Revenue, and should not be submitted to DIA. More information about taxes on gambling receipts can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Types of Gambling Licenses

In order to conduct charitable gambling activities, a nonprofit organization will first need to obtain a Charitable Gambling License. The Charitable Gambling License applications describe the various types of gambling activity that are permitted by the licensees. The only gambling activities authorized under these licenses are bingo, raffles, and games of skill and chance.

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion and sale of tickets. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

The type of license you need will depend on the period of time for which you plan to conduct gambling activity in your organization.

• Qualified Organization License, 14-Day($15)
• Qualified Organization License, 90-Day($40)
• Qualified Organization License, 180-Day($75)
• Qualified Organization License, One-Year($150)
• Qualified Organization License, Two-Year($150)
• Bingo at a Fair or Festival License($50)
• Very Large Raffle License ($100)

*An organization requesting a Two-Year Qualified Organization License must have been in existence for at least five years.
**In addition to a One-Year or Two-Year Qualified Organization License, organizations wishing to conduct a Very Large Raffle will need to complete a separate Very Large Raffle License Application.

Definitions

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1. Bingo Conducted at a Fair or Community Festival – License that allows bingo to be conducted for the duration of a fair or community festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group. Bingo occasions held under this license shall not be counted in determining whether a qualified organization has conducted the maximum three occasions per week or 15 occasions per month.
2. Community Festival – A festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group.
3. Community Group – An Iowa nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which is open to the general public and established for the promotion and development of the arts, history, culture, ethnicity, historical preservation, tourism, economic development, festivals or municipal libraries. “Community group” does not include a school, college, university, political party, labor union, fraternal organization, church, convention or association of churches or organizations operated primarily for religious purposes, or which are operated, supervised, controlled or principally supported by a church, convention of association of churches.
4. Games of Skill and Chance – Includes but not limited to carnival-style games. They do not include casino-style games (See Game Night).
5. Game Night – An event at which casino-style games may be conducted, in addition to games of skill and games of chance, within one consecutive 24-hour period.
6. Raffle – A lottery in which each participant buys an entry for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random method and the winner is not required to be present to win. For raffles, the license duration must include your advertising, ticket sales, and drawing of the winner(s). A combination of licenses may be used to obtain the requested length of time.
7. Very Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or merchandise prizes is $1,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $1,000 or less, or the total value of donated merchandise prizes is $5,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $5,000 or less.
8. Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000.
9. Large Raffle – A raffle whether the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000.
10. Very Large Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $100,000 but not more than $200,000 or if the prize is real property.

Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments

Authorizes small stakes card and parlor games between individuals (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). Additionally, this license allows the establishment to conduct sports betting pools.

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

• License duration: Two years
• Cost: $150

Access the Social Gambling License Application.

Social Gambling License for Public Place, No Alcohol Allowed

Authorizes patrons to socially gamble amongst themselves in the licensed establishment on small stakes card and parlor games (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). This license does not allow sports betting pools.

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

• License duration: Two years
• Cost: $100

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The following activities are NOT permissible under this license:

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• Raffles
• Bingo
• Poker tournaments
• Poker runs
• Roll-of-the-day
• Bookmaking
• Casino-style games other than poker

Access the Social Gambling License Application.

Iowa Code section 99B.6(7) permits the those with a two-year Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments (see tab above) to conduct a sports betting pool under certain circumstances. There is no additional cost to conduct a sports-betting pool.

Dia Online Gambling Consultation Form

Contact us with questions.

'Amusement concession' means a game of skill or game of chance with an instant win possibility where, if the participant completes a task, the participant wins a prize. 'Amusement concession' includes but is not limited to carnival-style games that are conducted by a person for profit. 'Amusement concession' does not include casino-style games or amusement devices required to be registered pursuant to section 99B.53.

Games may only be conducted after a license has been issued by DIA. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

• License duration: One year
• Cost: $50 per game

View or download the Amusement Concession License Application.