Iowa’s Cedar Crossing Casino will host a soft opening on November 19, ahead of a grand opening planned for December. Developers previously hoped to open in time for New Year’s Eve.
The dates were unveiled by General Manager and Executive Vice President Kim Pang, who said sports betting kiosks are set to arrive for December’s full opening.
Pang announced the opening date at an Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting in Dubuque on Thursday. The commission also approved the casino’s contracts, including its sports wagering licence.
“It’s a dream come true. We have opportunities, and we want to be the fabric of Cedar Rapids,” Pang said, as reported by KCRG. “Cedar Rapids has been waiting for this for many, many years.”
The casino is preparing for its opening, with crews installing seating in the entertainment venue, dealer training underway, and testing scheduled for machines that have already arrived.
The development, at 777 Fourth St. NW, will include 700 slot machines, 22 table games, and a 1,500-seat entertainment venue, with concerts and events scheduled through the spring. Plans also include restaurants, an Arts and Culture Center, and a STEM lab.
Pang also announced The Zach Johnson Clubhouse, a steakhouse that will feature the golfer’s 2008 Masters Champions Dinner menu. The casino is hiring about 350 employees, with a focus on local recruitment.
“North of 30 days and everything is coming in line. Not to say we are ready yet, but we’re going through a lot of our checklists,” Pang said. “We will be ready with all amenities. All amenities will be ready.”
Pang said everyone is welcome at the soft opening, although sports betting kiosks will not be available until the December 5 grand opening.
The Cedar Crossing project took more than a decade to secure regulatory approval.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved a casino license for the Linn County Gaming Association last year in a 4-1 vote, following years of lobbying by its backers. Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Washington County challenged the license over alleged deficiencies in a 2021 ballot measure supporting legal gambling in Linn County.
Voters first approved the measure in 2013. A second vote in 2021 reaffirmed that support as applicants continued seeking regulatory approval. A court later rejected Riverside’s challenge, allowing the project to proceed. Construction began in early 2025, with a ceremonial groundbreaking held that year.
“I have to tell you what an incredible feeling it was … when we got word that we were going to be able to push ahead with this project,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said. “We did the work to make it happen. We have the commitment from the community, and we’re just getting started.”
A study on Cedar Crossing last year found it could create a $2.25 billion impact across the state.