The state Racing and Gaming Commission chastised the developers of the new Isle of Capri Casino in Waterloo Thursday, after the opening date for the casino was pushed back once again. Developers say the opening may not come until July. Kate Cutler of Council Bluffs is the chair of the commission.
Cutler says the developers informed the commission there had been a delay in the delivery of steel, and Cutler says the commission has asked them to let the commission know in writing at their April meeting when they expect to have the casino running. The commission had been scheduled to talk about the possibility of approving more gambling licenses, but Cutler says the Waterloo delay has set that back.
Cutler says they wanted to have all four of the new casinos they approved two years ago up and gambling numbers in before they started talking about new licenses. Cutler says the delay in Waterloo sets that back, and they want to see what the new Washington casino generates in a full year of operation. Cutler says the discussion on new licenses may not happen this year.
Cutler says the commissioners came to a consensus that until they see what type of gambling numbers the Waterloo casino generates, it’s not feasible to have that discussion. She says it they’ll wait until after the first of the year to have another discussion on new licenses. Cutler says the delay by the Waterloo casino impacts a lot of people.
Cutler says every month the casino isn’t up and running, the state and local governments loose money, and she says local residents would like to see the entertainment venue up and running. Cutler says it’s not frustrating for the commission, they’d just like to see the casino up and running.
The Waterloo casino was originally set to open April 1st, but that was pushed back to May, and now there’s this latest delay. In January, the Racing and Gaming Commission approved plans to increase the size of the project by 140-thousand square feet and add a pool, a spa, and entertainment area.