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.
The public may submit written comments any time prior to the Commission decision date of February, 6 2025.
For written comments, please include your full name, if you represent a group or business, and your city and state of residence.
Via email at: irgc@iowa.gov
Via standard mail at:
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
6200 Park Ave., Ste 100
Des Moines, IA 50321
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.
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. These studies must be completed and provided to the Commission by December 30, 2024. The two vendors will present the studies and their findings to the Commission at the January 23, 2025 Commission meeting in Jefferson, IA.
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.
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
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