Davenport casino operator pleased with Cedar Rapids decision

Dan Kehl described himself as "very happy" Thursday and ready to turn his full attention to getting Davenport's Rhythm City on shore after the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission vetoed a casino in Cedar Rapids.

Kehl is CEO of the Riverside Casino and Resort, as well as the Grand Falls Casino and Resort and the Rhythm City. He and other eastern Iowa casino operators had been fighting a casino in Cedar Rapids, arguing that it would cannibalize from their operations.

In one study, Riverside was shown to face a 43.5 percent decline in revenue with a Cedar Rapids casino. Casinos in Davenport and Bettendorf also would have been negatively affected by a Cedar Rapids casino.

The gaming commission voted 4-1 against giving a license to Cedar Rapids at its meeting Thursday in Council Bluffs.

"I think the whole industry had a sigh of relief today," Kehl said. "The whole industry has grown and built very methodically and diligently.

"We’re glad it is being maintained and not going to be a free-for-all here in Iowa."

Officials from the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf and Wild Rose casino in Clinton could not be reached for comment.

Kehl said an architectural firm has been hired to design the Davenport casino and site visits are being made. Meetings to recruit local investors will be held early this summer, Kehl said.

The Rhythm City's adjusted gross revenue for March, the first full month of operation under the new owners, lagged behind what was reported to the gaming commission for March 2013 by 13.5 percent.

"Now that that is behind us, we can look to Davenport," Kehl said of the Cedar Rapids casino issue. "Now, we are full steam ahead."

Reported by:  QCTimes.com