Anticipated Legislation Blocking Cedar Rapids Casino to Be Introduced Next Week


Published on: January 11, 2025, 05:28h. 

Last updated on: January 11, 2025, 05:28h.

A legislation proposing a halt on the construction of new casinos in Iowa is anticipated to be introduced early in the upcoming legislative session, commencing on Monday.

Cedar Rapids casino, Cedar Crossing Casino, moratorium, Bobby Kaufmann
State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, above, believes that a Cedar Rapids casino would cannibalize revenues from existing gaming venues in the state. He wants to block regulators from issuing a license for the project. (Image: Iowa Public Radio)

Representative Bobby Kaufmann (R-Wilton) mentioned to Iowa’s News Now that the new bill will resemble the one he presented last year, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate without further action. The previous bill aimed to halt the establishment of new casinos until 2029.

Although the bill referenced multiple casinos, its main objective is to prevent Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city, from pursuing a casino license.

Cedar Crossing Casino

The Cedar Rapids City Council and Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell (R) are optimistic about obtaining a license for the Cedar Rapids Development Group, a local consortium planning to construct a $275 million gaming facility, the Cedar Crossing Casino, on city-owned land. The state gaming authorities are set to make a decision on February 6.

The gaming sector in Iowa opposes a Cedar Rapids casino, citing market saturation due to Nebraska’s recent legalization of gaming and the potential revenue decrease for existing casinos from further expansion.

Kaufmann, whose district includes the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, approximately 30 minutes south of Cedar Rapids, has raised concerns that Cedar Crossing could jeopardize jobs in his constituency.

Recent forecasts suggest that a Cedar Rapids casino might generate $80 million in new taxes while diverting approximately $68 million from casinos in Riverside, Waterloo, and Dubuque.

Local Support

Cedar Rapids residents have twice voted in favor of casino gaming in Linn County, most recently in 2021, and casino proponents believe the state legislature should not interfere with local consensus.

The residents of Linn County have spoken twice now about their desire to have that casino within Linn County in Cedar Rapids and the legislature should stay, stay out of it and let the process that is the law currently take place,” said Rep. Jeff Cooling (D – Cedar Rapids).

According to a recent survey by the casino opposition group, Iowans for Common Sense, two-thirds of residents statewide oppose casino expansion.

With less than six weeks remaining until state regulators vote on the license, there is a sense of urgency for Kaufmann’s moratorium. The lawmaker informed Iowa’s News Now that he anticipates the bill to progress through committees early in the second week of the session.

Similar to last year, there is mixed support for the bill, although Kaufmann asserts that support is increasing.



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