Studies overlook potential of new Cedar Rapids gambling revenue

When it comes to the analysis of the Cedar Rapids gaming market, I am statistically overlooked. I know this because I was not a part of any research conducted on Iowa gaming.

I live and work in Cedar Rapids and on occasion go to Riverside Casino & Resort to attend a concert. On these occasions, I may play slots to kill time. I am by no means a regular casino customer.

On the other hand, if we have a casino in Cedar Rapids, it's likely I would be a more frequent customer than at a casino requiring nearly an hour and a half of travel time. The presence of a Cedar Rapids casino would cannibalize very little of my gambling dollars. If I were to guess, 80 percent of my spending at a Cedar Rapids casino would be new gambling revenue, having negligible impact on other Iowa casinos.

I urge the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to consider the untapped and possibly overlooked potential of new gaming dollars and rethink the notion of a saturated market.

Kevin Northway

Cedar Rapids