On Wednesday, the developers of Cedar Crossing appealed to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, asking it to block a petition that challenges the county’s gaming plans
The proposed Cedar Crossing Casino in Linn County remains a point of contention amid discussions about its feasibility and whether it would hurt existing businesses. In November, a legal challenge directed against the country stuttered the progress. Now, the developers are seeking to deny the challenge and move forward.
Cedar Crossing Developers Want to Move Forward
In November, the Washington County Riverboat Foundation and Cedar Crossing competitor Riverside Casino filed a petition that challenges Linn County’s bid for a license. It argued that the wording of the 2021 measure, which lays the foundations for the casino in downtown Cedar Rapids, did not technically allow the county to launch gaming.
According to the petition, the 2021 ballot measure says that the country can “continue” gaming. However, there is currently no gaming in the county to speak of.
On Wednesday, the developers of Cedar Crossing appealed to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, asking it to block the petition. According to them, Riverside Casino should not have the authority to challenge the will of the county’s voters. Riverside and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation must respond to this brief by the next Thursday.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is set to hear the two sides’ arguments at a meeting on January 23. The commission is then expected to issue a decision by January 27 and make its final decision by February 6.
Even if the vote passes in favor of the Cedar Crossing developers, a potential moratorium may thwart their casino plans. Although a similar measure failed to pass the Senate in 2024, some believe that lawmakers may vote to block the casino now.
Iowa’s Casino Market Might Have Reached Its Limit
Riverside Casino, one of Cedar Crossing’s main opponents, is a competitor that is projected to lose up to $34 million in revenue if the Cedar Crossing Casino is allowed to go through. Recent studies provided projections about the latter property’s potential impact, suggesting that it could also hurt Meskwaki Casino, causing it to lose up to $14 million in revenue.
Marquette Advisors elaborated that although Cedar Crossing is poised to draw $118 million in adjusted gaming revenue a year, roughly 60% of that figure would be cut out from its competitors.
Studies are not entirely certain what Cedar Crossing’s exact economic impact on other casinos would be but suggested that the state’s land-based casino market has reached its limits.
However, reports also suggested that the new property may still lead to a slight overall increase in state gaming revenue.
