Cedar Rapids’ fight to get a casino is intensifying.
We’re less than a month out from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s official decision on a gaming license for Linn County. However, Iowa lawmakers announced plans on Thursday to rush a statewide casino moratorium before the commission makes its decision.
There’s also the issue of a petition from Riverside casino and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation that seeks to block Linn County’s plans, with arguments scheduled over the next few weeks.
But supporters of a new casino in Cedar Rapids are already pushing back on the pushback.
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell sat down with Iowa’s News Now just a couple hours after we learned of Iowa lawmakers’ plans that would stop Cedar Rapids from getting a casino.
“‘Cannibalization’ is the word they use – the rest of us call it competition,” Mayor O’Donnell said. “As a basketball fan, I like to use the analogy of Caitlin Clark. Imagine if Indiana Fever said we don’t want Caitlin Clark because she’s gonna take shots away from Kelsey Mitchell, she’s gonna take attention away from Aliyah Boston. Thank God they didn’t do that.”
You can watch the full extended interview in the YouTube video below:
And Iowa’s News Now wants to hear from you about lawmakers’ plans. Are you in favor of a casino moratorium? Participate in our poll below:
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