Iowa's casino earnings decrease by 2.7% annually in June
After a series of legal challenges, the Cedar Crossing Casino project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is now moving forward without obstacles. Construction on the casino is underway, with walls going up and the project making extensive use of local labor and materials.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission granted the gaming license for the casino in February 2025, rejecting a proposed moratorium and despite a legal challenge by Riverside Casino. With no appeal filed by Riverside Casino, the project is "full steam ahead," as confirmed by Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell.
The Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is expected to open on New Year's Eve 2026. The $275 million project will include 700 slot machines, 22 table games, multiple restaurants and bars, a 1,500-person entertainment venue, an arts and cultural center, and a STEM lab for children.
The commitment to use local union labor has been fulfilled, and union representatives emphasize the project’s importance for local employment and timely completion. Despite the state’s existing casinos seeing some revenue declines recently, the new casino is expected to bring jobs and entertainment to the area and become Iowa's 20th state-licensed casino.
June 2025 Casino Revenue Figures
According to a report released by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, the state's casinos generated $136.9 million in revenue in June 2025. This revenue is a decrease of 2.7% compared to the $140.7 million collected in June 2024.
The report shows that 11 of the state's 19 casinos posted lower revenues in June 2025 compared to a year ago. Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino generated the most revenue in June 2025, but this amount was 0.3% lower than the previous year. Horseshoe Council Bluffs was the casino with the second-highest revenue in June 2025, but this was a drop of 9.5% year over year.
Slot machines saw $124.1 million in revenue for June, also showing a modest decline compared to last June. The casino with the most significant year-over-year revenue decrease was Ameristar II, with a drop of approximately 14% from $15.5 million to $13.4 million. However, Diamond Jo Worth was the only casino to post a revenue increase of more than 10%, with a jump of 16.5% year over year.
Conclusion
While the state's existing casinos have seen some revenue declines, the Cedar Crossing Casino project is expected to bring new jobs and entertainment to the area. Construction is actively underway, and the project is making extensive use of local labor and materials, with 96% of contracts awarded to Iowa companies. With walls going up and the project on track to open on New Year's Eve 2026, the future of casino gaming in Iowa looks promising.
[1] KCRG. (2025, July 1). Cedar Rapids Casino project moves forward after judge's ruling. [online] Available at: https://www.kcrg.com/2025/07/01/cedar-rapids-casino-project-moves-forward-after-judges-ruling/
[2] Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, July 1). Cedar Rapids casino project moves forward. [online] Available at: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/cedar-rapids-casino-project-moves-forward-20250701
[3] Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, March 23). Cedar Rapids casino project gets green light from state. [online] Available at: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/cedar-rapids-casino-project-gets-green-light-from-state-20250323
[4] Iowa Capital Dispatch. (2025, February 2). Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission grants license for Cedar Rapids casino. [online] Available at: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2025/02/02/iowa-racing-and-gaming-commission-grants-license-for-cedar-rapids-casino/
[5] Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, March 23). Local union workers to build Cedar Rapids casino. [online] Available at: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/local-union-workers-to-build-cedar-rapids-casino-20250323
The Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center, scheduled to open on New Year's Eve 2026, will feature a variety of casino-games such as 700 slot machines and 22 table games. With the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission granting the gaming license in February 2025, the casino is anticipated to provide a boost to the local economy, including job creation, by making extensive use of local labor and materials for the casino-and-gambling venture.
