Construction of the highly anticipated Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is officially moving forward, now that Riverside Casino has chosen not to pursue a final legal appeal. The announcement came earlier this week when Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell shared the news publicly on Facebook.

“With no appeal filed by Riverside, it’s official: we’re going vertical in Cedar Rapids,” O’Donnell wrote according to Iowa’s News Now, signaling the beginning of the next phase of development for the $275 million casino and entertainment complex. City officials, developers, and local backers have celebrated this milestone, marking the end of a protracted legal dispute that had put the project’s future in question.

Plans for the casino in eastern Iowa include a mix of gaming, dining, entertainment, and educational offerings. When completed, Cedar Crossing will feature 700 slot machines, 22 table games, a performance venue with seating for 1,500 guests, and Clubhouse by Zach Johnson—a signature restaurant. The facility will also host a cultural center and a free-access STEM lab intended for use by Linn County students.

Legal Challenge Focused on Ballot Wording

The green light for the project follows a June ruling by Judge Michael Schilling of Iowa’s Eighth Judicial District, who dismissed Riverside Casino’s challenge against the gaming license granted to Linn County. At the heart of the legal dispute was the phrasing of Public Measure G, a 2021 referendum in which Linn County voters approved the continuation of gambling activities.

Riverside Casino’s attorneys claimed the language was misleading, emphasizing the phrase “may continue” as problematic in a county that did not have operational casinos at the time. “It can’t ask them to continue existing gambling games” that didn’t exist, argued Riverside’s legal counsel, Mark Weinhardt. They maintained that such wording could have led to voter confusion and, therefore, invalidated the referendum as a basis for awarding a gaming license.

Despite those assertions, representatives for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and the Linn County Gaming Association argued that the public had ample understanding of the referendum’s intent. Attorney Sam Jones noted the extensive public input the Commission received, highlighting that not a single written comment mentioned confusion over the ballot’s wording.

Jeff Peterzalek, representing the Commission, further supported the legitimacy of the vote by referencing a 2013 referendum in which gambling was also authorized in Linn County. He stressed that voters had never rejected gaming measures, and that the 2021 outcome was consistent with prior public sentiment.

Local Officials Applaud Decision and Look Ahead

Mayor O’Donnell and other Cedar Rapids leaders have been outspoken supporters of the Cedar Crossing development, viewing it as an economic catalyst for the community. O’Donnell previously described the legal challenge as “an incredible insult” to the voters’ intelligence, underscoring her belief that residents were fully informed about the measure.

Anne Parmley, president of the Linn County Gaming Association, echoed that view. “I feel confident that Linn County voters were fully aware of what they were voting for, and I would say that there’s even more support today (than in 2021) now that people have realized the impact that Cedar Crossing can have on our community,” she stated.

With construction now imminent, the Cedar Crossing team is preparing for a formal groundbreaking in the coming weeks. The casino is expected to open on New Year’s Eve 2026, transforming a key stretch of Cedar Rapids’ riverfront into a hub for tourism, nightlife, and community engagement.

Economic Stakes and Regional Impact

Independent studies commissioned by state regulators projected that Cedar Crossing Casino could bring in roughly $60 million annually in new gambling revenue, though much of that would be diverted from existing casinos—including Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in neighboring Washington County.

Riverside had raised concerns about potential job losses, estimating that over 200 positions could be affected if the Cedar Rapids facility draws away a significant share of its customer base. Still, Cedar Crossing’s proponents argue that the economic benefits to Linn County—ranging from job creation to increased visitor spending—will outweigh those regional trade-offs.

The venue’s added educational component, particularly the free STEM lab, is also seen as a unique investment in youth and community development, further differentiating Cedar Crossing from traditional casino models.