Downtown’s west bank gets a skyline shake-up as construction on the long-anticipated Cedar Crossing Casino goes vertical, marking a major moment for Iowa’s gaming future.
The first beams are up, and there’s no turning back. Cedar Rapids is officially getting its casino. Months after groundwork began, cranes now stretch into the skyline near the Cedar River, and the Cedar Crossing Casino project is humming to life in steel and concrete.
It’s the kind of project that’s been years in the making. Now, with approval from state regulators in their back pocket, developers are wasting no time bringing Iowa’s 20th licensed casino to life. The target? New Year’s Eve 2026 for the grand opening. And if momentum keeps up, they just might hit it.
A Decade of Waiting, A Vote That Mattered
For many in Linn County, this isn’t just another construction site. It’s a long-awaited win.
The city of Cedar Rapids first pushed for a casino all the way back in 2013, but earlier proposals never made it past state-level resistance. This year’s green light from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in February changed everything.
And once that vote came through, the gears started turning fast.
The licence approval sparked a wave of activity: land prep, infrastructure work, contractor mobilisation. But the big moment came when vertical construction began — that’s when things stopped being theoretical and became very, very real.
What the Casino Actually Includes
So what exactly is being built here? The Cedar Crossing Casino project isn’t just some slot hall with a snack bar.
We’re talking about a full-blown entertainment complex:
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A 160-room hotel
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1,200 slot machines and 50+ table games
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A sportsbook area
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Bars, restaurants, and event spaces
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Outdoor green spaces and riverfront walkways
There’s also talk of a rooftop lounge, which could offer sweeping views of downtown and the Cedar River. All of this sits just west of the river, in an area ripe for economic development.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell called it “a transformative project for the city” back in February — and you get the sense she meant it.
Jobs, Money, and the Real Stakes
Beyond the slot machines and poker tables, this is about jobs. And tax revenue.
Developers estimate the casino will bring more than 450 permanent jobs to the region, with hundreds more created during construction. For a city still rebounding from flood recovery and COVID-era slowdowns, that’s no small boost.
Then there’s the money expected to flow through local and state coffers. According to state projections, once operational, Cedar Crossing could generate upwards of $100 million annually in gross gaming revenue.
And that means more funds for state infrastructure, schools, and community grants — a major reason why the IRGC gave the project a thumbs-up in the first place.
One person familiar with the discussions said privately, “They’ve been waiting ten years for this. The state couldn’t keep saying no forever.”
A Look at Iowa’s Casino Map
Here’s how Cedar Crossing fits into the wider gaming landscape of Iowa:
| Casino Name | Location | Year Opened | Ownership | Licensed By State? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie Meadows | Altoona | 1989 | Polk County | Yes |
| Rhythm City Casino | Davenport | 2016 | Elite Casino Resorts | Yes |
| Isle Casino Hotel | Waterloo | 2007 | Caesars Entertainment | Yes |
| Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Sioux City | 2014 | Hard Rock Int’l | Yes |
| Cedar Crossing Casino | Cedar Rapids (TBA) | 2026 | Peninsula Pacific | Pending Opening |
When it opens, Cedar Crossing will fill one of the last major gaps in Iowa’s casino coverage map. The IRGC had long been hesitant about over-saturating the market, but studies commissioned last year showed Cedar Rapids could support its own casino without cannibalising neighbouring revenue.
Construction Timeline and What’s Next
So far, everything is moving according to plan — and with surprising speed.
The timeline laid out by developers back in February showed major earthwork finishing by mid-2024, structural framework starting in late summer, and enclosed spaces going up by spring 2025. So far, they’re sticking to that.
One source close to the construction team said foundation work “went faster than expected thanks to solid weather windows.” The same source added that interior planning is already well underway, including selections for gaming systems, hotel furnishings, and security.
But not everything is locked in. Questions remain around parking access, traffic flow, and how the casino will fit into a broader downtown redevelopment vision. Local officials say more community input sessions are expected later this year to address those issues.
Cautious Optimism or Betting the House?
Not everyone’s throwing confetti just yet.
Some community leaders have raised eyebrows over the potential impact on problem gambling, crime, and traffic congestion. Others are worried the projected economic impact may be overblown.
“Casinos are not silver bullets,” said one former council member. “They bring jobs, sure, but also problems — and not always the ones people plan for.”
Still, the mood in City Hall leans hopeful. The development team has reportedly engaged several consultants to help with social impact studies and has pledged funding for local addiction support services.
At this point, the cranes are up, the steel is rising, and the state has made its bet. Whether Cedar Crossing becomes a winning hand or just another high-stakes risk — that’ll be clear by New Year’s Eve, 2026.
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