Great River Entertainment assets acquired by Elite Casino Resorts

The Kehl family, majority owners of Elite Casino Resorts, originally helped launch casino gaming in Burlington, Iowa throughout the state’s riverboat era before selling assets to Randy Winegard.

Elite Casino Resorts has officially acquired the assets and operations of Great River Entertainment, including the operator’s Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort properties in Burlington, Iowa. 

The two facilities will now join Elite Casino Resorts’ portfolio, featuring gaming establishments such as Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Rhythm City Casino Resort, Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, Grand Island Casino Resort and Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack. 

“This feels like coming home,” Elite Casino Resorts CEO Dan Kehl said. 

“Our family’s history with Burlington and Southeast Iowa goes back to the earliest days of Iowa gaming. Bringing Catfish Bend and FunCity back into the fold allows us to honor that past while building toward an exciting future of growth, investment and community partnerships.” 

The Kehl family, majority owners of Elite Casino Resorts, originally helped launch casino gaming in Burlington, Iowa throughout the state’s riverboat era before selling assets to Randy Winegard.

Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort offer 30,000 sq ft of gaming space to Iowa residents, featuring more than 600 slot machines, 18 table games, poker, a sportsbook and high-limit room. Team members of both facilities have been assured their roles will remain in place throughout the transaction. 

Good to know: Churchill Downs acquired a majority share interest of the Casino Salem project in New Hampshire on July 14, which launched its opening phase just days prior featuring approximately 100 HRMs and 13 live table games

“Burlington and all of Southeast Iowa have always been close to our hearts. When Catfish Bend started in 1994, I moved my young family to Fort Madison to oversee riverboat operations,” Kehl said. 

“Now my sons are grown and part of the family business, and bringing this property back truly feels like a homecoming. Randy Winegard and Gary Hoyer have been great leaders for Catfish Bend and the community. We look forward to maintaining and building on their legacy.”

FunCity Resort also offers an entertainment complex for customers, including bowling alleys, indoor go-karts, arcade zones and a soft play area. 

Kirk Geller

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