Cedar Rapids casino stop amidst local accusations. Citing worries about possible harm to other casinos and nearby communities, a new grassroots alliance called Iowans for Common Sense has started a campaign to stop a proposed casino in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As part of their campaign, the coalition is asking citizens of Cedar Rapids and Des Moines to sign a petition in favor of a statewide ban on new gambling establishments.
The proposed Cedar Rapids casino, a $275 million endeavor led by the Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA) and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), would be situated in northwest Cedar Rapids on the site of the former Cooper’s Mill.
A final decision is anticipated in February 2025 when the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), which is scheduled to visit Cedar Rapids on November 20 for a review and public comments, makes a decision on the project.
Many industry stakeholders who are worried about the financial impact on current casinos have backed the campaign against the casino. The president and CEO of Dubuque’s Q Casino, Alex Dixon, has opposed the proposal, claiming that a new casino will jeopardize the income required to maintain the contributions his establishment makes to the community.
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“We provide 10% of the general operating budget for the city of Dubuque,” Dixon stated. “The city of Dubuque’s taxpayers will be directly impacted by any decrease in the revenues we receive.”
According to polling statistics cited by Iowans for Common Sense, over half of Cedar Rapids residents are against the new casino, and over two-thirds of Iowans are against it as well.
“People throughout the state appreciate what our current casinos bring to their communities, but they do not support further expansion,” said coalition spokesperson Zachary Harnden. Residents in Cedar Rapids, in particular, are adamantly opposed, and we are here to help them make their voices heard.
This position is being echoed by other leaders in the gambling sector. The possible effects on nearby casinos and non-profits were mentioned by Patty Koller, Executive Director of the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. “The local casinos and the nonprofit organizations that depend on them would suffer if Cedar Rapids were to receive a license. Millions of dollars have been invested in the corridor by these nonprofits, which have benefited communities well beyond their boundaries.“
The Cedar Rapids Development Group and P2E contend that the project is in line with the community’s vision, nevertheless. Jonathan Swain, president of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, attacked the Iowans for Common Sense poll, claiming it was sponsored by rival businesses.
According to Swain, “the Iowans for Common Sense poll is not a credible reflection of public opinion – it was conducted by an individual with personal ties to one of the state’s leading competitors, rather than by a grassroots organization.”
Swain cited two Linn County referendums in 2013 and 2021 that saw a majority of voters favor the construction of a casino to demonstrate the project’s community support and local officials’ acceptance.
“The community has a strong and long-standing support for the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center,” he stated. “The people of Cedar Rapids have made it clear that they want this development, as evidenced by the overwhelming approval of two separate voter referendums in 2013 and 2021 by Linn County residents.”
According to the Cedar Rapids Development Group’s proposal, 8% of its revenues will be donated to nearby NGOs. This pledge is expected to generate more than $6 million a year for community initiatives in Linn and the surrounding counties. This donation exceeds the 3% mandated by the state.
Because of worries about stealing money from neighboring casinos, the IRGC has previously rejected proposals for a casino in Cedar Rapids. According to P2E’s most recent market research, a casino in Cedar Rapids may bring in $80.2 million in new income. However, it also predicts that other casinos will lose $27.8 million in revenue, with Riverside Casino being the most affected.
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