Latest news with #IowaRacingandGamingCommission
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowans are placing their bets during March Madness
DES MOINES, Iowa – According to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Iowan's wagered a total of $272,366,214.10 in March of 2024. This year they might exceed it due to multiple Iowa teams making the NCAA Tournament. Brian Ohorilko, the CEO of Praire Meadows Casino, said that 93% of the Prairie Meadows Sportsbook wagers are conducted online but March Madness is the exception. 'So far, after day one, we're up about 20% on handle on retail here. Online is down about that same number. So, more people are coming out for that, at least for day one. And we'll see how day two goes. But I would expect those trends to continue.' Ohorilko said. Cyclone and Bulldog fans embracing March Madness Karter Spieler, a March Madness sports bettor, said he doesn't bet on teams he personally wants to win. 'You can't bet with your heart, though, when it comes to a game like I was staying. You got to bet against Iowa State then. Even if you lose, at least you win some money.' Spieler said. Michael Nyamira, a March Madness sports bettor, said he looks forward to March Madness and betting. 'It's kind of like a, like I guess a separate holiday, if you will, where I just set aside like, like maybe like $50 or so just dedicated on split up multiple bets around the week.' Nyamira said. Preston Wilson, a March Madness sports bettor, said that he has multiple teams he bets on. 'I actually have money on Iowa State, which I'm kind of a homer, but I Houston, honestly, I think they're great. I'll never I hate BYU so I'm not going to touch BYU,' Wilson said. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has resources available for those that struggling with gambling addiction on its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
March Madness a busy time at Grand Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — March Madness is off and running. As college teams battle on the courts, some sports fans are betting on the games. Basketball and the big screen add up to a perfect match for Reed Overweg. Lawsuit claims hotel negligent in toddler's death 'You can see all the games at once. I mean, no better place,' Overweg said. Overweg was at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort Thursday betting that his favorite team would win. 'I took Creighton money line,' Overweg said. March Madness is one of the busiest times of the year for the sportsbook at Grand Falls. 'I think people really want to come out. We're in the doldrums of winter and we're just coming out of long winter and people are ready to get out and play. They've been inside watching these games on their TV screen and now they want to come out, be with like-minded fans and just have fun, get something to eat,' Grand Falls Director of Marketing Greta Stewart said. Staff started preparing for March Madness about three months ago. 'We meet with our food and beverage director to make sure everything's on point there. Obviously with the sportsbook, making sure the organization is there,' Stewart said. Last year, people wagered more than $2 million at Grand Falls on sporting events in March, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Overweg felt pretty good about his odds Thursday afternoon. 'They had a strong first half. Hopefully, they can keep it going,' Overweg said. The Creighton men ended up winning 89 to 75 against Louisville. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Riverside Casino asks court to halt new casino construction
RIVERSIDE, Iowa — The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved construction of a new casino this week. As Cedar Rapids leaders broke ground on Friday, a nearby casino is saying, 'not so fast.' Elite Casino, the owner of Riverside Casino issued this statement after the Commission vote on Thursday. 'We are disappointed by the commission's decision. We appreciate the time and effort the commission and staff put into this, but we do have questions and concerns as we still believe the referendum requirement has not been met and are reviewing our next best steps,' said Elite Casino Resorts CEO Dan Kehl. The court document to halt construction was released on Friday morning: 'The license issuance is erroneous because the Linn County Casino will heavily cannibalize surrounding casinos, including the casino operated by Riverside, and the economic impact of the Linn County casino was not properly weighed by the IRGC contrary to Iowa Administrative Rule.' Urbandale considers leaving CIML for Little Hawkeye Conference On the Riverside Casino floor on Friday, one patron said that he and his friends were all going to keep supporting Riverside, due to its location. The Cedar Rapids casino site is located between the Cedar River, and some older homes in the city. The Riverside customer said he liked the rural location of Riverside, away from the city. Riverside was built after Cedar Rapids was denied a casino license during the first few rounds of gaming hearings. The casino's market area has been the Cedar Rapids, Iowa City area. In Cedar Rapids, one neighbor of the proposed casino is looking forward to it being in the neighborhood. 'You know it's entertainment, it's an eatery. There's family things and it's also good for property values,' said Lisa Pruess, Cedar Rapids. Iowa News: Riverside Casino asks court to halt new casino construction Eastern Iowa mom and kids killed in crash in Indiana When will ice and snow fall in central Iowa on Saturday? WHO 13 Farm Report: Friday, February 7th Here's what Iowans had to say about Musk and Trump's DOGE Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cedar Rapids granted casino license by IRGC
ALTOONA, Iowa — Legislation attempts, regulation blocks and now it's construction time for Linn County, Cedar Rapids, and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. On Thursday morning the members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met to consider plans for the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center. Arrested Madison County Treasurer relieved of duties, board appoints interim treasurer In a vote of 4 to 1, the commission approved the $275 million proposal and Linn County can move forward with the construction. The vote comes after some Iowa lawmakers attempted to pass a five-year moratorium to prevent the commission from handing out licenses. 'They did talk about all of the benefits of this project and how they truly outweigh a negative or two. And I couldn't agree more. And I can't say enough about the work of these commissioners and how appreciative we are,' said Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell. 'They took all of the worry that it would be a political decision out of it.' There is a groundbreaking planned for Friday, February 7 at 11 a.m. in Cedar Rapids. A day that has been asked by for the voters of Linn County for more than a decade. The casino must be completed by October of 2027 or fines will be given by the IRGC. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Racing and Gaming Commission approves Cedar Rapids casino project
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell speaks with reporters following the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission decision to approve a casino project application in Cedar Rapids. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission voted to approve the application for Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center on Thursday morning at its February meeting in Altoona. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell celebrated the decision, which she said has been a 'David versus Goliath' situation since the beginning, and 'by God the story ended the same way — let's hear it for David.' 'Honestly, a cataclysmic day for Cedar Rapids and Linn County,' O'Donnell said to reporters. 'Linn County, Cedar Rapids, deserves this.' Project planners intend to break ground on the project Friday. Jonathan Swain, a board member with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the developing group behind the project, said he was 'shovel ready' for the project he has spent 12 years planning. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'It'll probably take us 18 to 22 months to build the project… so we're going to move very quickly,' Swain said to reporters. The commission voted 4-1 to approve the project, with commissioner Alan Ostergren dissenting. 'They took all of the worry that this would be a political decision, out of it,' O'Donnell said. '(The commission) responded to facts and not fear and I am truly grateful for the outcome.' Earlier in the week, the Iowa Senate stalled a casino moratorium bill that, while not aimed directly at the Cedar Rapids project, would have blocked its approval. The bill, which would have set a five year moratorium on all new casinos, passed the house quickly, but Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, said Senate Republicans would leave those decisions to the gaming and racing commission. Rozenboom told reporters he does not have plans to take the bill up later in the session, citing a lack of support from Senate Republicans and in the interest of getting to other pieces of legislation. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
