Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission opens applications for Linn County casino licence

The Iowa gaming regulator will start receiving applications for a licence to operate a casino in Cedar Rapids, Linn County.

US.- The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission has opened the licence application process for a new casino in Cedar Rapids, Linn County. After around 55 per cent of voters in Linn County, Iowa, said yes to a casino in Cedar Rapids in November, however the regulator could still deny a gaming licence.

Attempts to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids failed in 2014 and 2017. On both occasions, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission said a casino would take away from other nearby casinos – there are 19 licensed casinos in Iowa.

Developer Jonathan Swain, president of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the potential Cedar Rapids casino operator, said it seems the commission recognizes that the citizens have said twice now they want a casino: “I think they feel this responsibility as a commission to respect the vote of the citizens and the will of the Cedar Rapidians that voted for this.” 

The company has granted the Linn County Gaming Association 8 per cent of net revenue, over double the 3 per cent required by the state.

Swain didn’t share new details on the city’s casino proposal, including potential locations, to respect the commission’s process and avoid providing insight to other potential applicants. He said the plans are “90 per cent done” and he hopes to share more details in the summer.

“This project will be significantly larger, significantly better” compared with previous proposals, Swain said. “Our whole motto during this process is set a new benchmark for gaming in Iowa. Our goal is to be the best casino in the state.”

See also: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meets to discuss impacts of Linn County Casino