The Cedar Crossing Casino project is progressing with vertical construction at its site, situated to the west of the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following the initial ground preparations earlier this year.
Construction activities commenced shortly after the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) granted Linn County’s license application in February. Once finalized, Cedar Crossing will proudly stand as Iowa’s 20th state-licensed casino, with plans for an official opening on December 31, 2026.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell recently shared her enthusiasm for the project’s advancement on Facebook, stating, “NYE 2026. Book it! This. Is. Happening,” accompanied by a photo highlighting the construction progress.
The establishment of this new casino arrives amidst a third consecutive year of declining annual revenue among Iowa’s 19 existing casinos. The IRGC reports that state-regulated casinos generated $1.68 billion in gross revenue from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, a decrease from $1.72 billion in the previous fiscal year.
Despite the downturn, the current revenue total remains above the $1.46 billion recorded in fiscal year 2019, which was the last complete fiscal year free from COVID-19 disruptions.
Notably, figures from fiscal year 2025 do not incorporate revenue from sports betting, which has continued to show growth in the state. The IRGC announced over $240 million in sports wagering revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, contributing $16.2 million in state taxes.
Over the past 12 months, the total amount wagered on sports in Iowa reached $2.85 billion, exceeding the prior year’s record of $2.6 billion. Since the legalization of sports betting in Iowa in August 2019, licensed operators have reported cumulative receipts exceeding $894 million.
The Cedar Crossing Casino will be designed as a land-based facility, offering a comprehensive array of gaming operations in accordance with Iowa’s licensing regulations. The construction of the $275 million casino and entertainment complex by the Cedar River gained momentum after Riverside Casino opted not to appeal a court ruling that upheld the IRGC’s approval of Cedar Crossing’s license by a 4-1 vote in February 2025.