DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed Bill HF2497, which would prevent new casinos from being authorized by the state until 2024.
Voting is a possible blow for Linn County leaders who have long been looking to build a new casino in Cedar Rapids. Linn County voters approved the option to build a casino in November 2021 after the state commission rejected proposals for a casino in Linn County in 2014 and 2017.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell sent a letter to Gov. Kim Reynolds in early June asking her to veto the bill, saying Iowa should keep gambling decisions under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Racing and Games Commission. She says she is disappointed with the decision.
“The governor shared with me that he wants us to grant your moratorium so that the market can stabilize and we can have a better idea of the impact that a Cedar Rapids casino could have on the state.” , said Mayor O’Donnell.
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