On July 12, 2024, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met and approved a timeline for the submission and review of applications for a casino in Linn County. The timeline included application due dates, application presentations, sites visits, public comment and a market study. On February 6, 2025 the application submitted by Cedar Rapids Development Group/Linn County Gaming Association for a casino in Linn County was granted with a 4-1 vote.
On November 8, 2024, the Commission received a petition for declaratory order, pursuant to 491 IAC 2.20, from Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, LLC and Washington County Riverboat Foundation, Inc. regarding Iowa Code section 99F.7(11). The petition requests that the Commission make a determination on its authority to issue a license in Linn County based on potential concerns with the validity of the ballot language used in the 2021 Linn County referendum to authorize gambling games.
Petition for Declaratory Order - November 8, 2024
Scheduling Order and Ruling on Stay - November 26, 2024
Petition for Intervention CRDG/LCGA - December 6, 2024
Schedule and Order Granting Intervention - December 17, 2024
Brief in Support of Petition for Intervention - January 8, 2025
Reply Brief in Support of Petition for Declaratory Order - January 16, 2025
On January 23, 2025, the Commission heard oral arguments from the petitioners and intervenors. After deliberation, the Commission voted to refuse to issue a declaratory order, as outlined in the below order:
Refusal Order - January 27, 2025
Commission-Authorized Studies
As part of the application process for Linn County, the Commission requested proposals for a qualified vendor to perform a gaming market analysis. The Commission awarded contracts to two vendors, Marquette Advisors and Urban Systems d/b/a The Innovation Group, to perform separate analyses of the proposed casino. The two vendors will present the studies and their findings to the Commission at the January 23, 2025 Commission meeting in Jefferson, IA. These studies were delivered to the Commission by December 30, 2024:
Marquette Advisors - Iowa Gaming Market Analysis December 2024
The Innovation Group - Iowa Gaming Market Analysis December 2024 (Amended 01/13/2025 to include Impacts by Property Addendum)
Other Studies
As part of the application process, the Commission has received input from various groups, including additional studies prepared for those groups in response to the Linn County application process.
Casino Gaming Market Assessment & Economic Impact Assessment - prepared by Convergence Strategy Group for Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and Cedar Crossing Casino in July 2024. Included as part of the Cedar Rapids Development Group application
Market Feasibility Study and Competitive Impact Analysis - prepared by Meister Economic Consulting for Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in October 2024
Iowa Statewide Survey - prepared by UpONE Insights for Iowans for Common Sense in 2024
Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center Economic Impact Study - prepared by Decision Innovation Solutions on behalf of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment and Cedar Crossing Casino in January 2025.
8/15/2024 - Due date for Market Study Proposals
8/29/2024 - RFP presentations by potential Market Study vendors
9/16/2024 - Due date for new casino applications
10/3/2024 - New casino applicant presentations
11/20/2024 - Site visits with Q&A for Commissioners; Public comment meeting
12/30/2024 - Market Studies due in Commission office
1/23/2025 - Public presentation of Market Studies
2/6/2025 - Commission vote on casino application; license granted with 4-1 vote
2/10/2025 - Commission considered a Motion for Stay and a Resistance of Stay for the license decision; stay denied with a 5-0 vote
2/17/2025 - Commission order for Stay Ruling issued