House lawmakers advanced a bill that would block Cedar Rapids' plans to build a new casino.Iowa groups from across the state made their case to lawmakers Monday

A bill creating a moratorium on new casinos — and skuttle proposed casino in Cedar Rapids — has cleared a House Committee. There was a statehouse hearing on the proposal yesterday, a few hours before the Ways and Means Committee convened last night.

Bills to create a five-year moratorium on new state-licensed casinos in Iowa have been introduced by Republicans in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature.

Supporters of the measure hope to advance it through the legislative process before the Feb. 6 Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting.

Iowa lawmakers could soon vote on a bill to ban new casinos until 2030. Monday evening, the House Ways and Means Committee approved a bill extending the moratorium, which could thwart a planned Cedar Rapids casino.