In a recently published decision, the Iowa Court of Appeals upheld lower court rulings that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission acted properly when it rejected in April 2013 a gaming application by the Belle of Sioux City and granted a license to the land-based Hard Rock Casino. Seeking to continue to operate its Argosy riverboat casino, the Belle was denied a license by the IGRC after the company was unable to renegotiate a contract with its former nonprofit partner, Missouri River Historical Development, which holds the state gaming license for Woodbury County.
The Belle of Sioux City sued the IRGC, claiming its decision was inconsistent and denied the company its constitutional due process rights.
The Hard Rock Casino opened in downtown Sioux City after the Argosy closed in 2014.
