Iowa’s casino sector made headlines in late 2024 thanks to a legal battle between Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. The latter has been a long-time purveyor of casino games in the state. Based in Riverside, the entertainment complex opened its doors in 2006, and today, it operates a full-scale casino offering slots, video poker, and table games such as blackjack and roulette.
The Riverside venue isn’t the only casino in Iowa. However, in an already competitive market, competition is rarely welcome, particularly when the new venue would be a 40-minute drive away in Cedar Rapids. Although it’s not the stated reason for Riverside Casino’s petition seeking to disqualify the venue, the impact of a new casino in Cedar Rapids could harm its bottom line.
As stated, attorneys for Riverside Casino & Golf Resort have questioned the validity of a proposed development in Cedar Rapids. The petition states that Linn County’s 2021 gaming referendum didn’t authorize gambling. As such, P2E’s proposed casino development wouldn’t be legal.
Riverside Casino Defends Its Position
Attorneys for Riverside Casino & Golf Resort acknowledge that provisions laid out in a 2013 referendum on gaming were extended in 2021. However, at the time, no licensed gambling games were available in the state. Therefore, voters couldn’t authorize them. Thus, voters haven’t directly voted on gambling games such as slots and blackjack.
The battle between Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and P2E will continue to play out in 2025. The interesting aspect of the dispute is what it says about the current state of gambling in the state and, moreover, the US. The desire to build a new casino resort is, in part, due to the growth of online gambling.
Statista reports that the US online gambling market was worth $24.98 billion in 2024. Looking forward, that figure is expected to increase by $15 billion to $39.81 billion, thanks to a 9.77% annual growth rate over the next five years. Fueling this growth is an influx of overseas operators.
Online Apps Spark Offline Casino Race
Some of the best poker apps from Europe, including PokerStars, have gained a foothold in US states such as Michigan and New Jersey. These apps provide a combination of low-stakes cash games, high-stakes tournaments, and jackpot sit-and-go games. Poker apps have since been joined by casino platforms and online sportsbooks.
The availability and accessibility of online sites and mobile apps have made gambling more mainstream over the last five years. That’s not to say gambling wasn’t popular already. However, just as apps have made music and movies more accessible, they’ve put entertainment within arm’s reach. The proliferation of online gambling apps in the US has spilled over.
People who have never played slots are now eager to take their online experience into the real world. That’s why companies such as P2E are exploring new opportunities in Iowa. Whether it manages to fulfill its ambition of building a casino resort in Cedar Rapids remains to be seen. However, given that the market has a ton of potential right now, the odds are that P2E’s attorneys will be doing everything they can to get the casino proposal accepted.