Key points:
- Riverside Casino's legal challenge against Cedar Crossing licence dismissed
- Iowa District Court confirms IRGC followed due process in issuing licence
- $275m development on track for NYE 2026 opening in Cedar Rapids
A legal challenge brought by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort against the licensing of a new casino project in Cedar Rapids has been dismissed by an Iowa District Court, allowing development of the $275m Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center to proceed.
The ruling was delivered by Judge Michael Schilling on 19 June following a review of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s (IRGC) February 2025 decision to award the gaming licence to Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA) and Cedar Rapids Development Group (CRDG).
In a 76-page order, the court found that the IRGC had appropriately handled public input, reviewed over 400 written submissions, and reached its decision independently and lawfully. It concluded that the project was in the best interests of both Linn County and the State of Iowa.
The Cedar Crossing venue is expected to create hundreds of local jobs and contribute over $6m annually to community-based organisations. The facility remains scheduled to open on New Year’s Eve 2026.
Good to know: In March 2025, Scientific Games completed a rollout of self-service lottery terminals across select retail locations in Iowa
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell commented: “Today’s ruling is a victory for the people of Cedar Rapids. Our residents knew exactly what they were voting for... we can move forward with confidence and unity toward the future Cedar Rapidians chose.”
The dispute centred on Riverside’s claim that the IRGC had not followed regulatory procedures in awarding the licence. However, the court dismissed the petition in its entirety, affirming that the commission acted within its remit and based its decision on substantial evidence, including local referendum support for expanded gaming.
Development efforts on the Cedar Crossing site are expected to accelerate in the second half of 2025, as planning shifts toward construction and operational setup.
