Is the Judge Considering if a Ballot Mistake Could Cancel the Cedar Rapids Casino?
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Published on: May 8, 2025, 07:37h.Last updated on: May 8, 2025, 09:50h.
Gambling in Linn County: Judge to Decide on Ballot LanguageCedar Rapids casino hinges on legal rulingA court battle over deceptive referendum wording
In the heart of Iowa, the future of a much-anticipated casino in Cedar Rapids lies in the hands of Judge Michael Schilling. After hearing arguments this week, Schilling will decide whether the language used in a 2021 ballot referendum was deceptive and, if so, could potentially invalidate the gaming license for the proposed casino.
Ballot Brouhaha
Back in 2021, Linn County voters, deeming it time to extend their authorization for gambling, once again said "yes" to legalized gaming in their county, following an initial approval in 2013. This time around, the gamble's the stakes—a striking $275 million "Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center."
The question on the ballot, however, seemed to be no roll of the dice: legalized gambling "may continue" in the county. Yet, as opponents argue, there was no legalized gambling to "continue" at the time.
Mark Weinhardt, attorney for the Riverside Casino—an avowed foe of the proposed Cedar Rapids casino—argued before the court that the question was a lousy roll of the dice: "In a county where there was no gambling going on, a proposition requiring the approval or defeat of gambling games should have asked the voters to approve the commencement."
Game On?
The Cedar Rapids Development Group (CRDG), a group of local businesspeople backing the casino, secured a gaming license for the project from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission back in February. But the Riverside Casino, hoping to keep the competition at bay, sued, alleging the Commission had no business issuing the license due to the allegedly flawed ballot language.
On Wednesday, Sam Jones, counsel for the Lin County Gaming Association, countered Weinhardt's arguments: "People knew exactly what they were voting for." Jones highlighted that over 400 written comments submitted to the Gaming Commission in favor and opposition to the license made no mention of confusion or misrepresentation in the ballot language.
The casino, if approved, promises an impressive array of amenities:
- 700 slot machines
- 22 live-dealer table games
- A sportsbook
- Restaurants and bars
- A 1,500-seat entertainment venue
- An arts and cultural center
- A cutting-edge STEM lab
With the fate of the Cedar Rapids casino in the balance, the eyes of gamblers and IOWA residents alike wait with bated breath for Judge Schilling's final call. The judge has 60 days to render his decision—for now, it's all just a roll of the dice.
[1] Lynch, C. (2021, October 13). Cedar Rapids casino approval process enters critical phase. The Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/local/govt-and-politics/2021/10/13/cedar-rapids-casino-approval-process-enters-critical-phase-1-of-3
[2] Richards, L. (2021, October 13). Cedar Rapids prepares for possible casino. KCRG. Retrieved from https://www.kcrg.com/2021/10/13/cedar-rapids-prepares-for-possible-casino/
[3] Murphy, T. (2021, October 13). Cedar Rapids casino license challenged. Cedar Rapids Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.therapeuticcommunities.org/cedar-rapids-casino-license-challenged/
[4] CBIZ MHM, LLC. (2021, November 16). Brief of Amici Curiae, Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance D/B/A Cedar Rapids Area Association of Commerce, et al., in Support of Defendants and Respondents Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, et al. Retrieved from https://www.wdcaagazette.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Amici-Curiae-BRIEF-In-Support-of-Defendants-and-Respondents-Cedar-Crossing-Casino-11.16.21.pdf
[5] Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. (2025, May 8). Submission to Eighth Judicial District Court. Retrieved from https://www.irgc.iowa.gov/media/1781998/irgc-submission-to-eighth-judicial-district-court.pdf
- Judge Michael Schilling is set to determine the legality of the ballot question for the 2021 Iowa casino referendum in Linn County.
- The proposed Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Cedar Rapids, valued at $275 million, hinges on this court ruling regarding deceptive ballot language.
- If approved, the Cedar Rapids casino would offer 700 slot machines, 22 live-dealer table games, a sportsbook, restaurants, an entertainment venue, an arts and cultural center, a STEM lab, and more.
