From a peak of over a dozen riverboat casinos in Iowa, one of many final three floating playing homes shall be transferring to land quickly, leaving solely two riverboat casinos within the state.

Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator Brian Ohorilko advised native media retailers that plans have been authorized Thursday for Marquette’s On line casino Queen to turn out to be a land-based operation.

Pari-mutuel canine monitor and horse racing have been approved in 1983, and the state lottery was created two years later. Riverboat playing was authorized by lawmakers in 1989. Racetracks started to supply slots in 1994, and the on line casino operations began transferring from water to land.

In April 1991 Dubuque’s Casino Belle grew to become the first riverboat on line casino in America and there have been ultimately as many as 69 floating casinos on rivers feeding the Atlantic Ocean. By 2004, riverboats have been allowed to function on moored barges somewhat than in open water. That improvement led to operators opening resorts and retail areas adjoining to the casinos. Iowa grew to become the eighth state by which BetMGM started to supply authorized on-line sports activities wagering in Could 2019.

Important New Funding

Talking in regards to the On line casino Queen, IRGA’s Ohorilko stated, “They’re proposing to speculate 12 million {dollars} right into a land-based facility that might join with their present barge space. They’d add a sportsbook and a brand new restaurant.

“With on line casino Queen transferring gaming to [a] land-based space that can go away simply Lakeside and Ameristar On line casino (Council Bluffs) because the two remaining gaming licenses that also have on line casino playing on a ship,” stated the administrator.

With the brand new on line casino connecting to the present barge space, it’s attainable that On line casino Queen might preserve its present handle of 100 Anti-Monopoly Street in Marquette.

With the sluggish however mass exodus of riverboat casinos to land, together with casinos in Sioux Metropolis and Davenport, Ohorilko says no enchancment in gaming income or footfall within the playing venues has been seen but. “The explanations for which can be quite simple — in that usually on a land base facility –, there may be more room to supply, not solely extra gaming however most significantly, extra non-gaming facilities,” for folks to spend their leisure funds on, Ohorilko says.

Extra Latest Gaming Fee Approvals

Latest regulatory approvals by the Racing and Gaming Fee embody a $31 million rework for Harvey’s in Council Bluffs that can embody a number of upgrades. “A brand new Movie star Chef Restaurant, a Man Fieri’s restaurant, renovation of all of their resort rooms, some extra house for gaming, simply to permit for a extra snug expertise for these visitors,” he says.

Q Casino in Dubuque was given approval for the primary section of a multi-million greenback renovation plan. Ohorilko says the revamp is required with the intention to correctly compete with close by gaming operations in different states.

“Nebraska has gaming, we’re beginning to see some building there, significantly within the Omaha market. And so, it’s actually vital for these Iowa amenities to place their finest foot ahead,” Ohorilko says.

Supply: Marquette casino moving to land, leaving only 2 casino boats in Iowa, Radio Iowa, January 27, 2023

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