Lang
2/7/25
The Riverside Casino and Golf Resort has filed a petition challenging the decision by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to grant a license to a planned Cedar Rapids casino.
On Thursday, the commission approved a license for the new $275 million Cedar Crossing casino by a 4-1 vote. The casino will be built at the former site of Cooper’s Mill, across the Cedar River from Quaker Oats just off Interstate 380.
Shortly after Thursday’s vote, Riverside casino officials filed a petition asking for a stay of the decision. In November, they argued in a similar petition that the 2021 vote in which Linn County residents approved the casino did not follow Iowa Code. They argued that the wording of the ballot asked voters if they wanted to continue gambling in the county, even though gambling has never been legal in Linn County.
The Riverside casino has opposed the new Cedar Rapids casino from the start. A recent study indicated a Cedar Rapids casino would cut Riverside’s profits by an estimated 26%.
Riverside casino CEO Dan Kehl issued a statement shortly after Thursday’s vote, reading, “We are disappointed by the commission’s decision today. We appreciate the time and effort the commission and staff put into this, but we do have questions and concerns as we still believe the referendum requirement has not been met and are reviewing our next best steps.”
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 11:00 Friday morning at the future casino site.