The Iowa Racing and Gaming Fee (IRGC) has granted a long-awaited on line casino license to Cedar Rapids, marking a milestone in a 12-year pursuit. Throughout a vote held at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, the fee accepted the applying from Cedar Rapids Improvement Group, LLC, and Linn County Gaming Affiliation, LLC, with a 4-1 determination.
The newly accepted Cedar Crossing On line casino will likely be developed on the former Cooper’s Mill website on the west facet of the Cedar River, straight reverse Quaker Oats. Cedar Rapids Improvement Group president Jonathan Swain confirmed that groundbreaking is ready for Friday at 11 a.m., a second he has anticipated for over a decade. “I’ve been at this for 12 years; I’ve been planning a groundbreaking for 12 years,” Swain remarked, in response to KCRG.
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell echoed Swain’s enthusiasm, emphasizing town’s readiness to proceed instantly. “We’ll be transferring filth tomorrow,” she said. “Linn County, Cedar Rapids deserves this. It’s solely taken us 12 years to get right here.”
Commissioner Amy Burkhart, who supported the license, acknowledged the problem of the choice given the focus of casinos in southeastern Iowa. “On the finish of the day I’ve to ask myself ‘what’s my job and what’s my position right here?’” Burkhart stated, in the end concluding that the on line casino would lead to “internet acquire by way of tax revenues for our state.”
Not all IRGC members agreed. Commissioner Alan Ostergren was the lone dissenting vote, arguing that the fee lacked the authorized authority to approve Linn County’s license. Ostergren pointed to an ongoing authorized dispute initiated by Riverside On line casino and the Washington County Riverboat Basis, which challenges the validity of the 2021 Linn County playing referendum. The IRGC beforehand declined to rule on the referendum’s legitimacy, leaving the matter open to judicial assessment.
Authorized Challenges Loom as Opponents Push Again
Opponents, notably present on line casino operators, have lengthy fought towards the introduction of a Cedar Rapids on line casino, warning of income losses and job cuts at close by services. Market research recommend that whereas the brand new on line casino may generate hundreds of thousands in contemporary income, it might additionally siphon earnings from different Iowa casinos, notably Riverside On line casino.
Mark Weinhardt, lawyer for Riverside On line casino, confirmed {that a} lawsuit difficult the IRGC’s determination can be filed. He argued that the fee exceeded its authority in issuing the license. “Whether or not the fee is allowed to subject a gaming license in Linn County is after at present a query for the courts, not the fee,” Weinhardt said, in response to The Gazette.
In response to issues about competitors, IRGC Chair Daryl Olsen emphasised that the Cedar Rapids challenge is distinct from different casinos, providing facilities past playing. “It offers facilities, eating places, a 1,500-person venue for leisure, arts and tradition middle, STEM lab. It’s so rather more. It’s distinctive and it offers rather more than gaming and that’s so essential to me,” Olsen stated.
A Controversial Approval With Broad Implications
The Cedar Rapids on line casino’s approval comes amid makes an attempt by Iowa lawmakers to dam new gaming licenses. Final month, the Iowa Home handed a invoice proposing a five-year moratorium on extra casinos, however the Senate declined to advance it. Republican Home Speaker Pat Grassley expressed disappointment, suggesting the problem may resurface if extra communities push for casinos.
In the meantime, on line casino proponents, together with Cedar Rapids enterprise leaders and labor unions, hailed the choice as a victory for financial progress. The challenge is predicted to generate 792 development jobs and make use of 365 full-time staff as soon as operational. The financial impression over its first decade is projected to exceed $2.25 billion.
As soon as accomplished, Cedar Crossing On line casino & Leisure Heart will function 700 slot machines, 22 sport tables, a number of eating institutions, an leisure venue, and an arts and cultural middle. Regardless of lingering opposition and pending authorized challenges, development is ready to start instantly, with an estimated completion timeline of 18 to 22 months. In response to builders, Cedar Rapids On line casino is reportedly slated to open its doorways on New Yr’s Eve 2026.
