One year ago, Linn County secured a long-sought gaming license, clearing the way for a casino to be built in Cedar Rapids after years of failed attempts and delays.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved the license on February 6th, 2025 in a 4-1 vote, marking a major reversal after the county was denied casino licenses in 2014 and again in 2017. Those efforts were later stalled further by a two-year statewide moratorium on new casino licenses that took effect in 2022.
Developers pitched the Cedar Crossing Casino plan to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission as a $275 million project aimed at boosting economic development and tourism in the Cedar Rapids area.
