Photo courtesy of Elite Casinos

A temporary stay of the gaming license in Linn County has been declined this week, and a judge has set a hearing date. The Riverside Casino and Golf Resort and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) filed a petition for judicial review by the district court in February. The petition was for review of the gaming license awarded by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in February. Listed in the challenge as support for the motion is language related to a public referendum on a ballot measure in Linn County and studies of market saturation.

In response, a resistance to stay was filed by the Linn County Gaming Association, Inc. and Cedar Rapids Development Group. 

Earlier this legislative session, the Iowa House approved legislation for a five-year moratorium on gaming licenses the week before the state gaming commission met to consider the Linn County license. That legislation was not taken up for vote by the Iowa Senate.

According to WCRF, the hearing will be held on April 8th.