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Pictured: Casinos in Iowa generated more than $151 million in August—a nearly 5% increase from the same period last year. (Credit: Shutterstock)
Iowa’s casino industry is thriving, with recent data showing positive trends in revenue and new developments aimed at expanding and enhancing the gaming experience in the state.
According to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, of the state’s 19 casinos, 14 posted growth, while only five saw declines last month. Iowa’s commercial casinos generated $151.2 million in August, representing a nearly 5% increase from the same period last year.
Here’s a breakdown of the current state of Iowa’s casinos and what’s on the horizon.
In July, casinos in the Hawkeye State defied the odds and experienced a bump. The overall gains reflect strong demand from both local and regional visitors, underscoring the popularity of Iowa’s gaming scene.
Top-Performing Casinos
Here are some key performers from Iowa’s casino industry:
- Prairie Meadows: The top earner, with $21.1 million in revenue, a 6.2% increase year-over-year.
- Diamond Jo Worth (Northwood): Experienced the highest percentage growth at 10.1%, bringing in $10.5 million.
- Rhythm City (Davenport): Reported $10.3 million, which is up 5.5%.
While most casinos showed positive numbers, the Council Bluffs properties experienced a bit of a downturn, as did Riverside Casino:
- Horseshoe Council Bluffs: Recorded $15.3 million, decreasing by 1%.
- Ameristar II (Council Bluffs): Collected $14.1 million, a 4.4% dip.
- Riverside Casino: $11.1 million, which is a slight downturn of -1.7% year-over-year.
Future Developments: Cedar Crossing Casino
Iowa’s casino industry is not just about current revenues; it’s also looking toward future opportunities and expansions.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved the Linn County license in February for the Cedar Crossings Casino. Riverside Casino’s legal challenge regarding ballot language was dropped, enabling full-speed construction.
The Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids is a $275 million project with many features, including:
- 700 slot machines
- 22 table games
- Sportsbook
- Multiple dining options (including a restaurant by Zach Johnson),
- Concert venue
- STEM lab
Partnering with Linn County Gaming Association, it the casino is expected to generate over $6 million annually for local causes starting mid-2027.
Supporters are hopeful that it will add as much as $60 million in new gambling revenue, albeit largely redirected from existing casinos like Riverside. It is set to launch on December 31, 2026.
Will Iowa Casinos Go Smoke-Free?
All of this is happening as lawmakers still try to decide if all Iowa casinos should be smoke-free.
Though most public indoor areas in Iowa are smoke-free, the state’s 2008 Smokefree Air Act includes an exemption for commercial casino gaming floors. As a result, smoking policies vary by casino, with some venues being fully smoke-free while others allow designated smoking areas. Several tribal and commercial casinos in Iowa have voluntarily adopted 100% smoke-free policies:- Blackbird Bend Casino
- Prairie Flower Casino
- WinnaVegas Casino
- Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs is listed as non-smoking by travelers on Tripadvisor.
- Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque has a smoke-free policy for its table games.
- Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama has a large, more than half non-smoking section.
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