Wild Rose Casinos & Resorts recently announced plans for a million “boutique” casino in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The proposal would have to be approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which previously expressed concern about gambling saturation in Iowa.
Wild Rose President Tom Timmons said the development, which would be built across from the Double Tree Hilton and Convention, and would offer 25,000 square feet of gambling space with 700 slot machines and 15-20 table games. The facility would have parking on the first floor, a gambling area on the second floor and commercial office space on the third and fourth floors. The project would not include restaurants, hotels or other entertainment venues, Timmons said.
Timmons stated the new casino would create 200-225 permanent jobs with $6-$7 million in payroll and benefits. He added he expects to present a proposal to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in January.
In April 2014 the IRGC voted 4-1 against a plan for the $150 million Cedar Crossing riverfront casino. Mayor Ron Corbett noted the Cedar Crossing casino investors still have a development agreement with the city. However, he said he believed the current and new investors could come to an agreement.
Officials at regional casinos said the proposed casino would have little impact on their operations. Jill Beasley, marketing director at Harrah’s and Horseshoe casinos in Council Bluffs noted, “It’s four hours away from our property here, and we really don’t think it would have a negative gaming revenue impact on our casino.” She added the new casino possibly could draw Des Moines visitors away from Council Bluffs’ three casinos, she added, but most of Harrah’s and Horseshoe’s customers come from the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area.
Beasley said the Cedar Rapids casino might draw visitors from Des Moines, but most of Harrah’s and Horseshoe’s customers come from the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area.
Wild Rose operates casinos in Emmettsburg and Clinton along with the Greene County casino in Jefferson.
