IRGC makes Cedar Rapids casino decision today

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) will decide whether or not to grant a gaming license to Linn County. The IRGC voted 4-1 against a Cedar Rapids proposal in 2014. Three different casino proposals have been submitted to the IRGC from the Cedar Rapids Development Group and Wild Rose Casino.

Two commissioned market studies have shown that a Cedar Rapids casino would cannibalize 45%, or US$ 22 million, of Riverside Casino & Golf Resort’s current annual revenue. Washington County’s largest employer, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort anticipates 250 jobs could be lost if a new casino is built. The IRGC meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque.

As reported by The Gazette, one of the member of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Jeff Lamberti, talked to a number of regulators and there was not a sufficient number of votes to back either one of the possible outcomes. Mr. Lamberti shared that was not an easy decision for them to make.

Richard Arnold, Chairman of the Commission, said that he is still in a process of consideration, by studying reports, and has not make a final decision yet.