Riverside casino, Go Daddy.com pay for ads at Cedar Rapids convention complex

The casino proposed to be built across the Cedar River from downtown is expected to steer customers to the city-owned downtown hotel and convention complex, The DoubleTree by Hilton at the U.S. Cellular Center.

For now, though, the city's hotel and entertainment complex will make do with $37,555 in casino revenue coming to the facility from Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.

The Riverside venue, which contributed heavily to the unsuccessful campaign to defeat the referendum in March to allow a Cedar Rapids casino, has signed an agreement to spend a total of $37,555 over two years to advertise on indoor signs and club seating at the convention complex, which includes the new convention center and the renovated arena next door and connected to the hotel.

The convention complex also has signed a two-year agreement with GoDaddy.com, which will spend a total of $25,375 over the period for advertising on indoor signs at the city's U.S. Cellular Center complex.

GoDaddy.com, the Web host provider and domain name registrar, was the subject of a competition among the cities of Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha in 2010 when the company decided to expand in the metro area and to move from Cedar Rapids to Hiawatha.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is expected to decide on a state license for a Cedar Rapids casino in the first part of 2014.