Put it all on red, bet the Iowa Hawkeye under, or jump on a slot machine you think is hot because a new casino could be coming to eastern Iowa.

Cedar Rapids is once again hoping to be granted permission to build a new casino. Proposals have been rejected in years past but could the 3rd time be the charm? Cedar Rapids officials are surely hoping so.

Other than creating jobs and trying to boost the Cedar Rapids economy, one of the goals of this casino project is to help revitalize Cedar Rapids after the flood in 2008. Supposedly, the Cedar Rapids area has seen a growing population of people ages 21 and over, which could play a factor in helping to get the casino built.

Linn County Gaming Association

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission rejected proposals for a casino in Linn County in 2014 and 2017. In October, Linn County officials are hoping for a different result.

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According to KCRG, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the Linn County Gaming Association, and Cedar Rapids officials shared details of a new proposed Cedar Rapids casino. Kirsten Running-Marquardt is the Chair of the Linn County Board of Supervisors and she shared why building a casino in Cedar Rapids would help attract people to visit and/or to come back to the city.

"We need to attract new people to the area. We need to keep our young here and welcome back all those who have left. I know many of you, like myself—we have friends, family, and people who have kids, and grandkids. We need them all to come back home. We need them as part of our workforce, our community, and our economy...To make this happen, we need to give people opportunities for fun things to do, like this project."

The Mayof Cedar Rapids is Tiffany O'Donnell and according to KCRG, she added that all the city wants is a chance.

"Together we’re not just building a casino. We’re building our legacy. We’re not asking for any special privileges. We just—we know there is a process. And we are absolutely here to be a part of every step of the process that others have had to go through. No special favors, just a fair shot."

What Could a Casino Bring?

If a casino is built in Cedar Rapids, what could it possibly bring to the city and the economy? These numbers were proposed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, Linn County, and the City of Cedar Rapids

• 1.1 million visitors each year
• $66 million spent each year in the state of Iowa
• 524 full-time jobs
• 8% of the annual net adjusted gross revenue will be contributed to by Cedar Crossing to local nonprofits, which is expected to be around $6 million

Linn County voters have voted "yes" for gaming twice, going back to 2013 and 2021. The 2021 vote has permanently authorized potential gaming in the county.

An application with be presented on October 3rd and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has a scheduled vote in February 2025, for potentially granting the license.