If you’ve been waiting to visit the new Cedar Rapids casino, mark your calendar for a small change. The public opening of Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center has moved a few days later. Instead of the earlier date of Nov. 19, the doors will now open to everyone on Monday, Nov. 23, at noon. Casino gaming will run 24 hours a day starting that same day.
The new date is still about five weeks earlier than the casino’s original New Year’s Eve opening.
The $275 million project is Linn County’s first casino and is set to become the 20th commercial casino among Iowa casinos. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Cedar Crossing Casino Opening Schedule
Here are the key dates:
- Nov. 16 to Nov. 22: Special preview days with limited hours and limited space. These are mainly for construction and property teams and invited Charter Members.
- Nov. 23 at noon: Public opening, with 24-hour gaming starting right away.
- Dec. 5: Formal ribbon-cutting and grand opening, plus a concert by Old Dominion.
The casino sits at 777 Fourth St. NW, on the west bank of the Cedar River. The land once held Cooper’s Mill and a Best Western hotel, and the site was damaged in the 2008 flood. For many locals, the new building is a big step forward for that stretch of the riverfront. City crews also worked on nearby roads so they would be ready for opening day.
What’s Inside Cedar Crossing Casino
This Cedar Rapids casino is a large complex, estimated at 110,000 to 160,000 square feet. Here is what guests can expect:
- About 700 slot machines and 22 table games
- A sportsbook, with kiosks expected around the Dec. 5 grand opening
- Restaurants and bars, including Clubhouse by Zach Johnson and a World’s Fare concept
- An event center that holds about 1,500 people, with plans for more than 100 shows each year
- The Compass Center, a space for arts, culture, and STEM programs. Its first exhibit, an interactive space exhibition called “Astronaut,” is set to open around Nov. 25.
How Cedar Crossing Became One of Iowa’s Casinos
Getting here took years.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission turned down earlier Cedar Rapids casino proposals in 2014 and 2017.
After a statewide pause on new licenses, the commission approved the license in a 4-1 vote in February 2025. There were legal challenges, including one from Riverside Casino, but construction moved ahead once they were resolved.
Crews broke ground in early 2025. Thanks to good weather, local workers and contractors, and careful planning, the building was finished ahead of the original Dec. 31, 2026 target.
Who Runs the Cedar Rapids Casino and Who Benefits
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) runs the casino through Cedar Rapids Development Group.
It partners with the nonprofit Linn County Gaming Association (LCGA). P2E has promised to give 8% of net adjusted gross revenue to the LCGA, which will share it with local nonprofits. That is above the state’s minimum.
Leaders expect the casino to bring in local tax revenue, create jobs, and draw visitors to the area.
In fact, the casino is hiring about 350 people, with a strong focus on hiring locally. Open jobs include:
- Dealers and slot technicians
- Food and beverage staff
- Security
- Hospitality
- Maintenance
Some table games roles offered sign-on bonuses for experienced candidates. The news comes in the wake of the opening of a new Bally's casino in Marquette. It ended of the era for true riverboat casinos in Iowa.
If you're thinking about visiting the area, the new Cedar Crossing opening date will provide you with a bit more time to plan your trip.
