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Summary:
- An Iowa judge has discovered potential flaws in the ballot wording that approved gambling in Linn County.
- Riverside Casino & Golf Resort argues the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission lacked authority to issue the new casino license.
- The court chose not to grant a temporary halt to the license.
The legal battle over a new Iowa casino in northwest Cedar Rapids near downtown carries on as a judge recently questioned the wording of a 2021 ballot measure that authorized gambling in Linn County.
Riverside Wants Cedar Rapid Casino’s License Halted
Washington County-located Riverside Casino & Golf Resort argues the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission overstepped its authority and failed to consider the casino’s economic impact when it gave the green light for the proposed facility valued at $275 million.
Riverside expects losses of millions as well as up to 200 job cuts if Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is allowed to open.
The resort would host 700 slot games, and more than 20 game tables, along with bars, restaurants, an entertainment venue, an arts and cultural center, and a STEM lab that would accommodate the needs of children.
Nonprofits relying on casino funding could also suffer. Riverside petitioned the court to halt the license.
Judge Says Riverside Will Not Suffer “Irreparable Injury”
On Wednesday, Eighth Judicial District Judge Michael Schilling ruled he had not yet reviewed the case’s merits, which will be addressed in an April hearing.
The judge acknowledged Riverside’s claim of financial harm but found the gaming commission had considered economic impact studies before granting the license.
He also ruled Riverside would not suffer “irreparable injury” if a temporary hold on the license was denied.
However, Schilling found Riverside’s argument regarding ballot wording had merit. The 2021 measure, Public Measure G, asked voters whether gambling “may continue” in Linn County, yet no license had ever been issued there.
The intent of voters was also questioned by the judge, who mentioned the differences between the wording of the ballot and the decisions made by county officials.
The ballot described permitted gambling as “games with no wager or loss limits“, but Iowa law allows a broader range of gambling activities.
On February 6, Gaming Commission Chair Daryl Olsen maintained that legal consultations confirmed the commission’s authority.
A majority of the commissioners are satisfied that we have the authority to move forward
