Iowa regulator to accept applications for Linn County casino license
The decision was made during the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s meeting on Thursday, March 3.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is considering applications for a casino license in Linn County. Announced on Thursday, the license would allow the successful operator to open a new casino in the Cedar Rapids area.
This marks the third time that a casino license for Linn County has been proposed by the Commission, after two previous bids failed in 2014 and 2017. These initial attempts failed due to fears of a loss of revenue at the two nearest casinos in Riverside and Waterloo.
While attempts to bring a casino to Linn County have fallen at the first hurdle in the past, those in power believe this may be the perfect opportunity to bring a property to the region.
Indeed, speaking of this in January, Tiffany O’Donnell, Mayor of Cedar Rapids, said: “We know that the Racing and Gaming Commission leans heavily on data, and there is data that indicates competition that was considered in the past to be fierce really isn’t as much anymore, that there is room in our state for additional casino revenue.”
She continued: “So in addition to having new commissioners, we have data on our side that indicates that our state can not only support new competition but, in fact, is going to require it as we see more competition just across our border in Nebraska.”
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is the predominant gaming entity in the Hawkeye State, controlling both the casino and sports betting market. Iowa first legalized sports betting in August of 2019, becoming the 11th state to do so.
A number of the nation’s most prominent sports betting operators are available in the state, with DraftKings, Caesars Entertainment and FanDuel all providing options for betting.
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