Effort to scuttle Linn County casino to be decided by end of month

WASHINGTON, Iowa (KCRG) – We now know when an effort to prevent Linn County from getting a casino license will be decided.

We’ll know by January 27th, three weeks from today, if the latest effort to scuttle a casino in Linn County worked. That effort claims Linn County can’t get a casino because of the wording on the ballot measure in 2021.

Those behind this challenge said they are trying to protect the money they get from the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort — a draw to that has been pivotal in transforming Washington County.

Mary Audia, Executive Director for the Washington Economic Development Group, said many people come from the Cedar Rapids area to enjoy the Riverside Casino — in turn bringing additional revenue to the area.

“And so I think jobs would be lost at our casino and in the Community that supports all of the visitors that we have,” said Audia.

Additionally, a percentage of the casino’s net gaming revenue goes to fund the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.

Last year the foundation gave out more than six million dollars for projects throughout the area.

“There’s no other way for Washington to get this kind of revenue other than the Riverside Casino. When that happened for us, it was life-changing for the people that live here in rural Washington County,” said Patty Koller.

Patty Koller, executive director for the foundation said while they don’t know the exact numbers, a new casino will create a domino effect in their communities.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has market studies on the potential impact that they’ll review before making a final decision on Linn County’s bid for a gaming license on February sixth.

“It will be a significant loss of jobs in Washington County. It’ll be a significant loss of revenue to nonprofit organizations and the municipalities in Washington County because when our revenues go down, then what we can give out is obviously going to go down,” said Koller.

While both are protecting the interests of Washington County, those in favor of a Linn County casino point to the many needs of nonprofits in that region and the boost a Cedar Rapids casino would give to the downtown- especially on the west side of the river.

Millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs at stake no matter the Commission’s decision.

“Everybody understands how detrimental it would be to us,” said Audia.

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