City officials in Warren County not expecting casino plans with moratorium lifted

INDIANOLA, Iowa — A two-year moratorium for new casino licenses in the state expired on Monday.

The moratorium was almost extended, but the bill failed to make it out of the Iowa Senate this last session. All eyes are now on counties and cities that may plan to move forward with a referendum vote, or seeking approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

Linn County voters originally voted ‘no’ on a gambling referendum in 2003, but voted ‘yes’ to a gaming referendum in 2013 and 2021. After previous failed attempts to win the approval of the commission, the group in Cedar Rapids is organizing again with the moratorium lifted.

In Warren County, a gaming referendum was voted down in 2004 and 2013. A referendum is the first step to pass in a county, that authorizes gambling games before a gaming license is considered. So the possibility of Warren County getting any motion for a casino is still years away.

The city manager in Indianola, Ben Reeves, told WHO 13 News on Monday that he had not heard of any conversations from city officials about the prospect of moving forward with a casino or a gaming referendum.

Norwalk was considering a casino around a decade ago, but voters shot down the gaming referendum in 2013.

“There was a proposal. But ultimately, it was something I think, that our city spoke pretty loudly overall. All the communities spoke loudly and saying they just weren’t interested in having a casino here,” said Luke Nelson, the City Manager of Norwalk. “I know that led to some decisions again, before my time, where ultimately there was a casino idea that did not move forward. Now, since that time, it’s again, I’m repeating myself, but it just never came up again.”

Tina Eick, the Administrator for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission told WHO 13 News that discussion of the expiration of the statewide moratorium is taking place at the upcoming commission meeting on July 8. The agenda for the meeting can be found here .

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