Despite license award, new Iowa bills would block Cedar Rapids casino development

Thursday, February 20, 2025 4:10 AM
Photo:  Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (courtesy)
  • KGAN-TV

A pair of new bills introduced Wednesday into the Iowa House & Iowa Senate aims to ban the development of the Cedar Crossing Casino development, even after the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission award developers a gaming license.

State Rep. Megan Jones (R-Clay County) and State Sen. Scott Webster (R-Bettendorf) filed companion bills Wednesday in each respective chamber. A Senate subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning at 11 a.m.

The bill bans urban renewal plan projects from having gaming facilities in “which a license has been issued on or after January 1 ,2025.”

Cedar Rapids City Council in December approved a deal with developers to build the casino between F and I Avenue NW and 1st and 5th Streets NW in Cedar Rapids, using the Urban Renewal Act.