Iowa's casino revenues experienced a 2.7% decrease in June compared to the same period last year.
In the world of Iowa's casino industry, June 2024 saw a single-month revenue decline of approximately 3%, with total land-based casino gaming revenue dropping to $136.9 million compared to the previous year. This decline was evident in key casinos such as Q Casino + Resort and Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque [1][2].
Specifically, Q Casino + Resort's revenue fell from about $4.08 million to $3.91 million, and Diamond Jo Casino's revenue decreased from approximately $6.31 million to $6.16 million.
Looking broader at individual casinos, while Dubuque's casinos decreased slightly, the overall Iowa casino market has been somewhat mixed. For instance, in July 2025, casinos statewide experienced a small increase in revenue (0.1% year-over-year), indicating some resilience in the market despite broader economic pressures [3].
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has reported that in June 2025, slot machines generated $124.1 million in revenue, showing a modest decline from last June. Table games generated $12.8 million in revenue, also showing a modest decline compared to the previous year. Eleven of the state's nineteen casinos posted lower revenues in June 2025 compared to the same month in the previous year [1].
Among the top performers in June 2025 was Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, which generated the most revenue. However, it was 0.3% lower than the previous year [1]. Other notable casinos include Ameristar II, which saw a decrease of approximately 14% year over year, and Horseshoe Council Bluffs, which had the second-highest revenue but saw a decrease of 9.5% year over year [1].
Regarding the proposed Cedar Rapids casino, known as Cedar Crossing Casino, its opening is expected near the end of 2026. Industry experts predict that it may shift customer traffic away from existing facilities such as Riverside Golf & Casino Resort, Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel, and Isle Casino Waterloo, rather than increasing total market demand. This suggests potential negative impacts on revenue at those existing casinos following the new casino's opening [3].
In summary, June 2024 saw a single-month revenue decline of approximately 3% statewide, including decreases at key casinos like Q Casino + Resort and Diamond Jo. The market has shown mixed trends overall, with slight statewide revenue growth noted in July 2025. The impact of the proposed Cedar Rapids casino is anticipated to cause redistribution of customers, likely hurting revenues of some incumbent casinos rather than expanding the market.
[1] Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission: https://www.iowaracingandgaming.com/ [2] Gazette: https://www.thegazette.com/ [3] The Des Moines Register: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/
Casino-games such as slot machines and table games continued to generate revenue for Iowa's casinos, albeit with a modest decline in June 2025 compared to the previous year. During this period, casino-and-gambling establishments like Q Casino + Resort and Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque experienced a decline in their casino-games revenue.
