Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a law enforcing a two-year moratorium on new casino licenses. Mayor of Cedar Rapids Tiffany O’Donnell has responded to this move by calling it “disappointing”, with Cedar Rapids, Iowa, having 19 commercial and four tribal casinos. Reynolds signed the bill on 17 June 2022.
An amendment to the larger gambling bill means that regulators will not be permitted to issue any new licenses in Iowa until June 2024. This moratorium puts on hold plans for the “Cedar Crossing”, a potential $250m, 160,000 square-feet entertainment and cultural arts complex in downtown Cedar Rapids.
The Cedar Crossing casino proposal entailed a lavish complex: bars, restaurants, a 1,500-capacity entertainment center and other venues. Its planned location was along the west side of the Cedar River, between Kingston Village and Time Check Park.
O’Donnell has fiercely objected to the moratorium, stating: “It’s time that Cedar Rapidians understand what is truly at stake here… it’s certainly entertainment and amenities, jobs, economic development and flood protection.” The Cedar Crossing Casino had proposed a flood control system to prevent both the structure and the surrounding area from rising waters.
The Republican-led Iowa legislature approved the moratorium citing “gaming fatigue” as a reason for their decision. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has previously used such reasoning to deny new licenses, such as in 2017 they said that new casinos would only shift gambling revenue from existing casinos, rather than generating more revenue.
Talking of Governor Reynolds, O’Donnell said: “I expressed to her my disappointment and reassured her that Cedar Rapids would still be here when the moratorium is lifted in two years.”
