Lang
1/31/25
A bill putting a moratorium on new casino development has passed the Iowa House.
The measure passed by a 68-31 vote. It would ban new casinos from opening in the state through June 30th of 2030. The bill also includes a provision that would force the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to consider a potential new casino’s effect on the economic well-being of other casinos. If a new casino would negatively impact another casino’s adjusted gross receipts by 10% or more, the proposal would be automatically rejected. While studies on casino cannibalization are already done in such cases, the commission is currently not required to use the results in their determination. The most recent study on the proposed Cedar Rapids casino indicated it would cut the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort’s profits by an estimated 26%.
As of now, the commission is still due to vote on approving a license for the proposed Cedar Crossings development in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. The project would include a standalone casino at the former site of Cooper’s Mill, just off Interstate 380 across the Cedar River from Quaker Oats.
The bill must now pass the Iowa Senate before heading to Governor Kim Reynolds’ office for her signature.