The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meets Thursday near Des Moines. The Rhythm City Casino license will be up for discussion. This, just days after developments halting the city's pursuit of the casino.
The city has a letter drawn out that City Administrator Craig Malin plans to present to the commission chair. Basically, it asks for the commission's support in continued efforts to secure a land-based casino. It notes the situation in that the Riverboat Development Authority, the casino license holder, decided this week to look for private operators.
The letter also talks about how, more than a decade ago, the IRGC approved the RDA's application for the Rhythm City Casino, establishing two casinos operating by the same parent company within five miles of each other.
And that, since then, there's been no land-based investment in Davenport and an Illinois casino within site of the Iowa border is now the market leader. With gross gaming revenue at the Rhythm City Casino declining since 2005 and tens of millions of dollars in revenue lost to Illinois.
Davenport is asking the commission to continue to monitor the progress of the casino closely. "The city has led the effort to correct the situation and we appreciate the support along the way. In particular, we appreciate the commission's attention prompting the Isle of Capri to sell the Rhythm City casino so Davenport may secure a market competitive casino," said Craig Malin.
As far as the plan to buy the casino, Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba tells us the city has halted its pursuit for now and wants the RDA to take its time so the community can come to the right decision.
