FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2023
The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC) convened for a special meeting on Tuesday, December 19th. An additional meeting was necessary before the end of the year to handle two important matters of business.
Lakeside Casino, located in Osceola, required immediate approval of a contract to mitigate a time-sensitive issue with their facility. The lake that Lakeside Casino resides on is critically low, more than 6 feet below normal, and without intervention the floating casino is forecast to soon touch the lake bottom. IRGC approved a contract with Resolve Marine to install air tubes under the barge to prevent this from occurring. The equipment will gradually raise the casino to allow operations to continue without interruption ensuring continued employment for staff and safety for patrons and staff alike.
The IRGC also appointed Tina Eick as Interim Administrator of the Commission following the resignation of long-time Administrator Brian Ohorilko.
“Brian has served our Commission well and with great integrity. We appreciate his twenty years of public service to the State and wish him well as he returns to the private sector,” said Daryl Olsen, Chair of the IRGC.
IRGC has posted the Administrator position and is accepting applicants through Dec. 31st. An appointment of the new Administrator is expected at the commission’s next regular meeting on January 25th.
“The other commissioners and I have great faith in Tina and the rest of the IRGC staff to uphold the responsibilities of the commission. We have a great team in place and a solid plan to move forward,” Olsen continued.
The IRGC administers the laws and rules for gambling and wagering in Iowa in order to ensure the integrity of licensees and their operations, maintain public confidence in regulated gambling and wagering activities in Iowa, and promote economic development for the citizens of Iowa.
The Commission carries out this mission by enforcing laws and rules for the wagering public and industry, as well as ensuring industry participants are adhering to responsible gaming practices, promoting the highest quality of sustainable operations, promoting public safety, providing quality entertainment, investing into Iowa goods and resources, encouraging the hiring of Iowans, and requiring reinvestment in facilities and amenities located in Iowa.