UPDATE: Cedar Rapids Will Finally Get Its Casino

UPDATE 2-6

After several failed attempts, the city of Cedar Rapids appears to be getting a casino.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission voted 4-1 in favor of granting Cedar Rapids a gambling license, bringing the Cedar Crossing Casino closer to reality. But supporters are getting ready to break ground just yet.

A lawsuit could be coming too. The Gazette reports that the commission last month declined to decide whether a 2021 Linn County gambling referendum allows a casino to be built in Cedar Rapids. The ballot language ready "may continue." Riverside Casino and Golf Resort contend that the approval for gambling is invalid since gambling had never begun in the county.

Despite the legal issues, a big win for casino supporters in Cedar Rapids.

ORIGINAL STORY

A casino in downtown Cedar Rapids got one step closer to reality on Tuesday.

CBS2 reports that the Cedar Rapids City Council approved a development plan for the Cedar Crossing Casino during a public hearing on Tuesday night. The agreement gives the city's blessing for the construction of the casino. There is still one final hurdle to clear before fans of gambling get too excited.

Construction will happen only if the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission decides to award the group behind Cedar Crossing a state gambling license according to CBS2. A final decision on that will happen with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission votes on the Linn County application on February 6th, 2025.

Only one council member voted against the proposed casino. CBS2 reports that Ashley Vanorny had concerns that smoking would be allowed in the building with plans for a children's science center nearby. She also called the location of the casino 'less than ideal.' She stated that if Cedar Rapids is dead set on having a casino, there are other places to put it according to CBS2.

Tuesday's agreement states that if the license is granted, the group will buy the property in Cedar Rapids at fair market value according to CBS2. Cedar Crossing would then make monthly payments to the city's Community Betterment Fund to support city development, affordable housing, trails, and more. Those payments would be 2.25% of net gaming revenue on top of the 8% the casino would give to local nonprofits according to CBS2.

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