Gov. Reynolds signs casino moratorium bill; Cedar Rapids Mayor disappointed

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed bill HF2497, which would prevent new casinos from being able to be licensed by the state until 2024.

The vote is a potential blow to Linn County leaders who have been looking to build a new casino in Cedar Rapids for some time. 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 Governor Kim Reynolds at the beginning of June asking her to veto the bill, saying Iowa should keep gaming decisions under the purview of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. She says she is disappointed in the decision.

”The governor shared with me that she does want us to your moratorium in order to allow the market to stabilize and we can get a better idea of what the impact a Cedar Rapids casino could have on the state,” said Mayor O’Donnell.

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