Published on: November 22, 2024, 10:17h.
Last updated on: November 22, 2024, 10:37h.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has unanimously voted to review a petition from Riverside Casino and Golf Resort owners. The petition challenges Linn County and Cedar Rapids as potential host locations for a commercial casino.
Riverside and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation are contesting a 2021 local ballot referendum in Linn County. The referendum allows gambling in the county based on certain conditions, and Riverside is seeking to disqualify this.
Riverside claims that the 2021 referendum only extended gaming provisions included in a 2013 referendum, and it did not authorize gambling in the county.
The 2021 ballot question asked, “If approved by a majority of voters, operation of gambling games with no wager or loss limits may continue.”
However, Riverside argues that the 2021 referendum had no impact on existing gaming conditions since Linn County had never hosted gambling games before.
State Review
The IRGC has set a schedule to consider Riverside’s petition.
County attorneys, Cedar Rapids representatives, and Cedar Crossing Casino backers will present their arguments regarding the authorization of a casino in Linn County. The IRGC will then review Riverside’s response before making a decision on the petition.
While the IRGC has agreed to review Riverside’s petition, it has rejected an appeal to halt the consideration of the $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino. This decision allows the IRGC to continue its evaluation process without delay.
The IRGC will make a final decision on granting a casino license to the Cedar Crossing Casino proposal on February 6. Iowa lawmakers will have limited time to pass a new casino moratorium bill before the decision is made.
Governor Kim Reynolds has not taken a stance on the casino issue in Cedar Rapids, stating that she will wait for the Legislature’s decision.
Unique State Gaming Law
Iowa’s gaming law allows the IRGC to issue casino licenses based on local ballot referendums supporting gambling activities. Casinos in Iowa must also contribute a portion of their revenue to charities.
Developers of the Cedar Crossing Casino have pledged to donate 8% of their gross gaming revenue to charity.