An Iowa GOP lawmaker has introduced a gambling gaming license moratorium bill that could foil Cedar Rapids’ plans to bring a casino to town. The legislation comes just about two weeks before the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is set to make its final decision on a license for Linn County on Feb. 6.
Lee County Republican State Sen. Jeff Reichman introduced Senate File 76 on Wednesday, which would put a moratorium on new gaming licenses until June 30, 2030.
The organization behind Cedar Rapids’ bid for a casino, Cedar Rapids Development Group LLC, quickly filed a lobbyist declaration in opposition to the bill on Wednesday.
The news comes just hours before the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to hear oral arguments in Jefferson on Thursday morning, regarding a petition challenging the efforts to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids.
State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann said a couple weeks ago that lawmakers would be considering another moratorium in the House to stop Cedar Rapids from getting a casino, but we haven’t seen anything from the House side yet.
Other casinos in nearby counties have expressed concerns about “cannibalization” of the market. The Mayor of Cedar Rapids said in an interview with Iowa’s News Now it’s called “competition.”
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