On a vote of 4-1, a new casino was approved for Cedar Rapids by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday. The Linn County application was approved less than a week after the Iowa House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a five-year moratorium, and only days after similar efforts were made in the Senate.

State Senator Dawn Driscoll shared her reaction after the vote approved the new facility, “I’m extremely disappointed in all of the outcomes of this week, of everything that happened. I believe that not only to our district, you know in Washington County, I believe rural Iowa is truly, truly going to suffer. And just extremely, have a heavy heart today with the outcome, and especially with the outcome of us not being able to get the moratorium passed in the Senate.”

The measure moved through a Senate subcommittee, but was not brought for a full Senate vote.

During the voting proceedings, Racing and Gaming Commission members spoke of a projected $4 million net gain for the state in revenue from the new facility, as well as market saturation and product differentiation.

The Linn County casino will be constructed less than 40 miles from Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.

For the full interview with Driscoll and Representative Heather Hora listen to today’s In Touch with Southeast Iowa with KCII News.