At its recent meeting in Davenport, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission heard positive reports on the state’s two new land-based casinos. Rhythm City Casino in Davenport posted a 50 percent increase in business, and the new land-based, million Bettendorf Isle recently opened to rave reviews.
“To have two operators willing to invest that kind of money in a market that’s pretty saturated is really a testament to them,” Commissioner Jeff Lamberti said. “We’ve got gaming machines in Illinois. We’ve got Jumer’s. We felt, as a commission, we had to make this change.”
Regional Development Authority Chairman Frank Clark noted, “We’re seeing the whole market rise. I’m particularly happy to see that because it means no matter what your market share is, it’s creating greater dollars for the community.”
Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch told commissioners Rhythm City Casino is “a great entertainment venue, as well as a great community venue, that can bring in new jobs but also more opportunities for the future.”
Elite Casino Resorts Chief Executive Officer Dan Kehl added, “We’re falling right in line with our projections. As things ramp up and our marketing kicks in, we expect those numbers to climb.” However, he cautioned Iowa gaming could take a hit from the slow agriculture economy and the proliferation of video gaming in Illinois. “They continue to roll slot machines out in about every gas station and tavern in the area. That’s taken the biggest dent out of the market,” Kehl said.
Kehl still opposes expanded gambling in Cedar Rapids, fearing a new casino could cut revenue at his Riverside Casino by 40 percent. “It causes the existing casinos difficulties in trying to reinvest and bring new products and updates to them,” he said.
Regarding Isle Bettendorf, Lamberti said, “It’s all moving in the right direction. I expect to see this do even better.” He said commissioners have met with Isle’s eventual new owners, Reno-based Eldorado Resorts, and believes they will be good operators in Bettendorf.
As the new land-based Isle Bettendorf establishes itself in the market, the former Isle of Capri casino riverboat recently left for its new home in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the first time in more than 20 years that there’s no boat on the city’s Mississippi riverfront.
The boat’s new owners plan to renovate it as a cruise ship to be called the American Duchess. River cruises will begin in 2017.
Quad City residents gathered on the levee to say farewell to the iconic landmark, including Wanda Hartwigsen, who said, “I’m sure when I see that heading downstream, it’s going to be a little sad. But I also understand that times change, and that maybe the concept of the riverboat and Mark Twain and riverboat gambling is sort of passé now.”
