Published on: October 7, 2024, 09:59h.
Last updated on: October 7, 2024, 10:12h.
Iowa casinos are opposing a proposed resort plan for Cedar Rapids.
Iowa is home to 19 commercial casinos of various types. A group in Cedar Rapids, along with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment from California, aims to build the state’s 20th casino, but existing operators are cautious about more competition.
Many casinos rely on visitors from Cedar Rapids. The Isle Casino Hotel in Waterloo, Q Casino and Diamond Jo in Dubuque, Wild Rose in Clinton, and Riverside Casino are all close to the city.
The Cedar Rapids Development Group (CRDG) has been trying to enter the state gaming market for over a decade. Despite local support for a casino in 2013 and 2021, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has denied their license application.
Casinos Resistance
Recently, the CRDG and the Linn County Gaming Association outlined their $275 million casino plan to the IRGC. Current gaming entities expressed concerns about the project.
Q Casino’s President Alex Dixon stated that a Cedar Rapids casino would harm their business and others in Iowa. Boyd Gaming, owner of Diamond Jo, also opposed the casino.
IRGC research supported these concerns, highlighting that the new casino would draw players away from existing properties.
Supporters argue that Cedar Rapids deserves gaming options like other cities.
Data suggests that Cedar Rapids should have a casino. Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell believes the commission will see the need for it. All we ask for is a fair opportunity,” she said.
The IRGC study found that the casino would take a significant portion of revenue from existing Iowa casinos.
Key Schedule
Time is crucial in the approval of the Cedar Crossing Casino. The IRGC will vote on the project in early February, shortly after the start of the 2025 legislative session.
Lawmakers plan to introduce a moratorium on new casinos in January. They have limited session days to pass the bill before the governor can sign it.
If the IRGC approves the casino before the moratorium passes, the license will remain valid.