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New Davenport Casino Closer To Reality

Riverboat Development Authority Grants Approval To Project

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A casino developer in the state of Iowa has received approval from the Riverboat Development Authority to build a $110-million gambling complex in Davenport.

According to WQAD, the developer, Dan Kehl, reportedly still has to get approval by the state’s Racing and Gaming Commission to purchase the existing Rhythm City Casino.

The new casino would be the city’s first land-based casino.

The RDA chairman said after the decision:

“I think this is a win-win for the people of Scott County.”

There was reportedly some concern over the level of competition for the project. According to WQAD, at a City Council meeting Monday night, Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba expressed concern over a lack of competition for the casino, but it remains unclear how much say the city has in Kehl’s plans to move ahead.

The Riverboat Development Authority (RDA) was founded in 1989. In 1991, it received a gambling license in partnership with the President Riverboat Casino, which operated in Davenport until October of 2000. At that time, the casino was sold and is currently operating as the Rhythm City Casino. RDA approved the use of their license and the Rhythm City. RDA received a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission at that time.

According to the American Gaming Association, Iowa has 18 operating commercial casinos at the moment. They generate around $1.5 billion of gross gaming revenue annually.

For more news from Iowa, check out its state page.

 
 
Tags: Iowa,   Davenport