As the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) prepares to vote on Feb. 6 on whether to grant Linn County a long-sought casino license, a closer look at campaign contributions from gaming industry interests shows a battle of influence among proponents and critics of the project.
Records show that in the past decade alone, over $1.8 million in campaign contributions have poured in from gaming-related political action committees (PACs) and individuals, potentially shaping the political landscape around the fate of the proposed Cedar Crossing Casino in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Supporters of Cedar Crossing assert the project will generate $60 million in new additional revenue for the state each year, benefit local nonprofits through an 8% share of profits—double the state’s 4% nonprofit requirement—and bolster economic development in Iowa’s second-largest city.
