JEFFERSON, IOWA – Governor Terry Branstad, Senator Charles Grassly and country music icon Kenny Rodgers headlined the grand opening of Iowa’s newest casino Friday in Jefferson, Iowa.
Located in Greene county about 30 miles west of Ames, the Wild Rose Jefferson casino’s grand opening celebration began Friday morning and takes place over three days. At 10 AM Friday, “A Token of Our Appreciation Giveaway” was held, with the first 200 people receiving a commemorative .999 fine silver, custom-minted Wild Rose token. Governor Branstad and Senator Charles Grassley were two of many speakers at the grand opening Friday. The casino held a “soft opening” in July.
The “First Dice Roll” at the craps table took place at 5 PM, then a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting was held at 6 PM. Later, a Kenny Rogers performed and a fireworks show was displayed in a parking lot.
More events were planned for Saturday and Sunday.
The Wild Rose Jefferson casino received a gaming license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commision on June 12, 2014. The casino-events center project will add more than 250 jobs to the region with an estimated annual payroll of $7 million. The project features an 18,000-square-foot casino with 536 slot machines and 14 table games. Since 2006, Wild Rose casinos have contributed more than $25 million to nonprofit license holders in Palo Alto and Clinton counties for distribution to local community organizations and projects. Wild Rose casinos in Emmetsburg and Clinton have generated more than $115 million in local and state taxes.
