As reported by: Sioux City Journal
WinnaVegas Casino has agreed to raise its legal gambling age from 18 to 21. The action will bring the casino near Sloan, Iowa, into compliance with a new state law, which went into effect today, that makes underage gambling at any venue except charitable events such as bingo and raffles a criminal offense.

"We regret losing our 18- to 20-year-old guests. We enjoyed having them as our guests and hope they understand the difficult decision that was placed upon the casino," casino marketing manager Rick Campbell said in a press release.

The change applies only to the casino. Bingo still will be open to 18-year-olds. Identification has always been checked at WinnaVegas' front entrances, Campbell said, and ID now will be checked between the bingo hall and casino floor.

Campbell said the new rules and regulations would take place immediately, but it would take a few weeks for the casino to change advertising and other publicity materials to reflect the new age limit.

Iowa's legal gambling age has been 21, but WinnaVegas dropped its limit to 18 in December 1999. The state's gambling compact with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which operates the casino, did not specify a legal gambling age. It said only that the tribe agreed not to violate state laws.

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals director Steven Young had asked tribal chairman John Blackhawk on Friday for written assurance that the casino would comply with the new law by the time it took effect. Failure to comply would have been considered a breach of the compact, and the DIA could have suspended part or all of the compact.

"Last Friday, chairman Blackhawk verbally informed the department of the tribe's intention to honor the change in law," Young said in a statement released Wednesday. "Press releases appear to support the oral notices to the department. We are still expecting to receive written confirmation. We appreciate the tribe's working with the state on this sensitive matter."

Blackhawk did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Under terms of the new law, anyone under 21 who gambles or attempts to gamble and anyone who permits underage gambling can be charged with a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.

DIA spokesman David Werning said last week that under the old law, WinnaVegas' lower gambling age fell into a gray area. The new law clears up any confusion, he said.

Campbell said raising the gambling age to 21 should have little impact on the casino's expansion plans.