Iowa online poker bill

Iowa has become the latest state to look to introduce online poker legislation, with a Senate panel approving a poker bill in the state.

The small state, with a population of around 3 million, joins the race to become the first US state to legalise online poker.

The bill, Senate Study Bill 3164, comes following a study commissioned by lawmakers and will now be sent to a Senate subcommitee for approval before potentially facing a vote.

SSB 3164 would legalise online poker for players in the state and 'other locations authorised by law', which could potentially open the door for international player pools.

But the bill is at a very early stage and public opinion appears to be against the bill with a newspaper poll putting just 28% in favour of online poker.