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Cedar Rapids Casino Proposal Rejected

Markus Ortner

In a four to one vote in Council Bluffs, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission rejected a $174-million proposal for a casino in downtown Cedar Rapids. Commissioner Dolores Mertz of Algona cast the lone “yes” vote.

Commission Chair Jeff Lamberti said approving the Cedar Rapids Development Group LLC request, “Would be a significant precedent,” that he wasn’t willing to take. 

Lamberti added that if the governor and the legislature wanted to create new policy for casino gambling in Iowa he would be open to a casino in Linn County; however, under current policy, Lamberti is not willing to risk destabilizing the state’s gambling industry.