Cedar Crossing Lawsuit Dropped by Riverside Following Statement from Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell of Cedar Rapids
A New Era for Cedar Rapids: The Arrival of the Cedar Crossing Casino
After a decade of persistent lobbying, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is set to welcome a significant addition to its landscape – the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center. Scheduled to open on New Year’s Eve 2026, this $275 million entertainment complex is poised to revitalize the local gaming scene and economy [1][2].
The journey to this milestone began in 2025, when the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) awarded a gaming license to the Cedar Rapids Development Group (CRDG) [1]. However, this progress was not without challenges. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, a local competitor, filed a lawsuit contesting the validity of a 2021 vote that authorized gaming in Linn County, where Cedar Rapids is located. The lawsuit, which argued the vote was unlawful, was ultimately dismissed by Eighth Judicial District Judge Michael Schilling in June 2025 [3].
The dismissal of the lawsuit marked the final legal obstacle for the Cedar Crossing Casino project, paving the way for its construction and opening. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, a former news anchor who was elected mayor in 2021, shared the news on her Facebook page, signalling the city’s readiness to proceed with the casino construction [4].
The Cedar Crossing Casino project will redevelop 25 acres of city-owned land northwest of the city center, featuring 700 slot machines, 22 table games, a sportsbook, three restaurants, a 1,500-seat entertainment venue, an arts and cultural center, and a STEM lab [5]. The property, which has been vacant since the 2008 flood, will be managed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment once it's ready for operation.
The arrival of Cedar Crossing Casino represents a significant shift in the regional gaming industry, with some Iowans expressing concerns about the competitive landscape. Critics argue that Riverside Casino, located in nearby Riverside, has gone downhill and is not competing effectively for business [6].
Despite these concerns, the IRGC and state lawmakers had previously pushed back on allowing a casino in Cedar Rapids due to concerns about market saturation. However, two impact studies commissioned by the IRGC concluded that Riverside would be most negatively impacted by the Cedar Crossing Casino [7].
The Cedar Crossing Casino project is not just about gaming. It's about jobs, entertainment, and new energy for Cedar Rapids' riverfront. With the legal hurdles cleared, construction is expected to begin imminently, marking a new era in northeastern Iowa's gaming industry [4][5].
References:
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, February 1). Cedar Rapids Development Group wins gaming license. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/cedar-rapids-development-group-wins-gaming-license-20250201
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, June 2). Judge rules in favor of Cedar Crossing Casino. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/judge-rules-in-favor-of-cedar-crossing-casino-20250602
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, June 3). Riverside Casino loses legal challenge against Cedar Crossing Casino. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/riverside-casino-loses-legal-challenge-against-cedar-crossing-casino-20250603
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, June 4). Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell celebrates casino decision. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/cedar-rapids-mayor-tiffany-o-donnell-celebrates-casino-decision-20250604
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2025, June 5). Cedar Crossing Casino project details revealed. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/cedar-crossing-casino-project-details-revealed-20250605
- Casino.org. (2025, June 6). Iowans express concerns about Riverside Casino. Retrieved from https://www.casino.org/news/iowans-express-concerns-about-riverside-casino/
- Cedar Rapids Gazette. (2021, October 1). Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission tables Cedar Rapids casino proposal. Retrieved from https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/iowa-racing-and-gaming-commission-tables-cedar-rapids-casino-proposal-20211001
- The Cedar Rapids Development Group, originally awarded a gaming license by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in 2025, will manage the Cedar Crossing Casino, set to open in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on New Year’s Eve 2026.
- The Cedar Crossing Casino project, set to redevelop 25 acres of city-owned land, will feature 700 slot machines, 22 table games, a sportsbook, and numerous dining and entertainment options.
- Despite initial concerns about market saturation, two impact studies commissioned by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission concluded that the nearby Riverside Casino would be most negatively impacted by the arrival of the Cedar Crossing Casino.
- Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell, in a Facebook post, signaled the city's readiness to proceed with the casino construction following the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.
- With the legal hurdles cleared, construction of the Cedar Crossing Casino is expected to begin imminently, marking a new era in northeastern Iowa's gaming industry, expected to inject new energy into Cedar Rapids' riverfront.
- The political landscape surrounding the Cedar Crossing Casino project has seen its share of challenges, including a lawsuit filed by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, contesting the validity of a 2021 vote that authorized gaming in Linn County.
- The Cedar Crossing Casino project, scheduled to open in 2026, will not only bring a new casino-and-gambling experience to Cedar Rapids but also create jobs and support new cultural and educational initiatives through its arts and cultural center and STEM lab.
