In Iowa, the Linn County Board of Supervisors has approved a voter referendum on a casino for the November 2 ballot.
The original referendum passed eight years ago, but since no casino license was granted at that time, a second vote is required. However, signatures do not have to be gathered as before since the issue is approved for the ballot.
Linn County Gaming Association President Anne Parmley said, “In eight years you need to pass it again if there hasn’t been a casino license granted. So, we are at the 8-year mark and we are ready to approve it again. And once it is approved it’s approved in perpetuity.” Parmley said now the Linn County Gaming Association, the Cedar Rapids Development Group and other stakeholders are busy educating the public.
She said the referendum passed by 61 percent last time. “Early polling shows even more support. And gaming has become much more acceptable as far a form of entertainment so we think in general that’ll all lead to more support,” Parmley said.
Parmley said the long-term goal is to bring a casino to Cedar Rapids, but the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission voted down two applications for a gambling license there, most recently in November 2017 on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners said a Cedar Rapids casino would cannibalize business at nearby casinos.
“First things first is the referendum and then we’ll look at the environment and look at all that to determine the application process. Our hope is that the commission would support a casino in Linn County and we could move forward after the referendum is passed,” Parmley said.
