Iowa’s casino industry experienced a modest dip in revenue in June 2025, collecting $136.9 million in gross revenue, marking a 2.7% decline compared to the $140.7 million reported in the same month a year earlier. This downturn, though not drastic, highlights a broader pattern of stagnation or contraction among many of the state’s 19 licensed casinos, according to the latest figures released by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Most Casinos Report Year-Over-Year Declines
Of the 19 casinos operating across the state, 11 saw reduced earnings when compared with June 2024. Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, located in Altoona, retained its position as the top earner, generating $19.2 million. However, even this leading venue posted a slight year-over-year decline of 0.3%.
Horseshoe Council Bluffs secured the second spot in terms of total revenue for the month. Still, it recorded a notable decrease of 9.5% in its earnings compared to the same period last year, indicating that even some of the state’s most prominent gaming establishments were not immune to the downward trend.
Ameristar II, situated in Council Bluffs, saw the sharpest revenue drop among all Iowa casinos. The venue’s revenue plunged by approximately 14%, falling from $15.5 million in June 2024 to $13.4 million in June 2025. Likewise, Riverside Casino and Golf Resort also endured a significant decline. Its revenue dipped by 11.3%, bringing in $10 million this past June.
Few Bright Spots Amid Overall Downturn
Not all casinos experienced losses. Some managed to defy the overall state trend with year-over-year revenue growth. Diamond Jo Worth stood out as the most successful in this regard, reporting a 16.5% surge in compared to June 2024. It was the only venue to post a double-digit percentage increase, setting it apart from the rest of the field.
While other casinos managed modest increases, none matched Diamond Jo Worth’s performance. These scattered gains suggest that while statewide revenue trends leaned negative, localized factors or marketing strategies may have helped a few properties buck the trend.
Slot and Table Game Revenues Also Decline
Breaking down the revenue streams, slot machines remained the primary source of casino earnings in Iowa, accounting for $124.1 million in June. Table games contributed $12.8 million to the monthly total. Both figures represented slight declines compared to the previous June, underscoring a consistent pattern of slower activity across the board.
Slot machine revenue, long the backbone of casino operations in Iowa, dipped slightly. Table games, while making up a smaller portion of total income, also posted lower numbers, contributing to the overall decrease in the state’s gaming revenue.
Industry Outlook Could Shift with Cedar Rapids Decision
Despite the statewide cooling in casino revenue, the Iowa gaming market may be on the verge of transformation. A recent legal ruling has cleared the path for a new casino development in Cedar Rapids. This project, which had been delayed for years due to regulatory hurdles and competing interests, now has the judicial green light to proceed.
The introduction of a Cedar Rapids casino could shake up the competitive landscape and redistribute revenue dynamics across the state. Depending on its eventual size, offerings, and timing of launch, the new venue could attract significant attention and player traffic, especially from under-served regions in Eastern Iowa.
The broader implications for Iowa’s casino economy remain to be seen, but the coming years may see shifts in market share as new operators enter the field and existing venues adjust to changing player preferences and regional competition.
Source:
‘’Iowa casino revenue falls 2.7% year-over-year in June’’, cdcgaming.com, July 14, 2025.
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