Fort Dodge Looking To Gain Casino License on Second Time Around
Fort Dodge, Iowa has not been lucky in their efforts to secure a casino license in the state. Their first attempt fell short back in 2005. Now they are ready to try their luck once again.
In 2005 an investment group put in a proposal to bring a casino to Fort Dodge, Iowa. They were turned down after the state awarded four licenses to other areas. The idea of bringing a casino to the area has now come up again.
Gaming regulators in the state have expressed interest in allowing for more licenses in the state. When word of the casino expansion spread, the Fort Dodge people once again showed interest in one of the new licenses.
The investment group who put the proposal in the first time around, is still lurking. The Heart of Iowa Foundation which was created to make the proposal the first time, still exists. That raises speculation that the group could once again make a run at a new license, should it become available.
The proposal back in 2005 called for a 15,000 square foot events center, an ice cream parlor, a buffet restaurant, a ninety room hotel, and of course, a casino.
The price of the original project was $50 million. That proposal would almost have to be expanded for the group to have any chance of receiving the license.
