Iowa Commercial Casinos Generate $139.6 Million in December, Down 2.1% Year-on-Year

Iowa’s regulated commercial casino sector showed a year-on-year decline in revenue in December, falling 2.1% from $142.6 million in 2024 to $139.6 million in 2025.  

Slot revenue in the state also declined by 2.1%, falling from $128.7 million in 2024 to just over $126 million in 2025. Table games also experienced a similar decline, with a 2.4% drop year-over-year from $13.9 million to $13.6 million.  

The decline in revenue comes as construction work on the new Bally’s Marquette casino, a permanent landside replacement for the existing Casino Queen Marquette, is nearing completion, just as Iowa’s regulators are pushing for more powers to tackle illegal online gambling sites.  

Catfish Bend and Harrah’s Council Bluffs are December's Biggest Revenue Losers 

The monthly figures released by the state regulator, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, show that of the state’s 19 casino venues, 10 showed a year-on-year decline, with the most significant fall coming at Harrah’s Council Bluffs, which reported revenue of $5.3 million, down 9.9% on last December’s figure of $5.9 million. Catfish Bend was also down, by 9.8% to $3.6 million.  

A handful of casinos were able to buck the trend, however. Lakeside Casino produced a 9.2% revenue rise from $3.9 million to $4.3 million, and there were significant year-over-year increases for Isle Casino Waterloo (5.2%) and Isle of Capri – Bettendorf (7.6%). The market leader, Prairie Meadows, also increased by 1.3% year-over-year, from $20.5 million to $20.7 million.  

Bally’s Marquette Rebrand Signals Long-Term Commitment 

The dip in year-on-year revenue has not dampened the industry’s enthusiasm for new casino projects in Iowa, however, and one major construction project is now nearing completion.  

Casino Queen Marquette is set to rebrand as Bally’s Marquette in a $21 million permanent landside build that marks a significant transition for the riverboat casino.  

The Marquette riverboat venue has been running for three decades, and casino management says that the new facility underlines its commitment to the local community. The first floor is scheduled to open at the end of February, followed by the second floor shortly after, with a grand opening in March. 

The new Bally's-branded venue will reportedly feature additional table games, expanded food options, and a sportsbook, and it is expected to create more than 75 new full- and part-time jobs. 

Iowa regulators seek stronger tools against illegal gambling 

Meanwhile, Iowa regulators are pushing for expanded authority to crack down on unlicensed gambling sites and protect regulated casino revenue.  

Newly proposed legislation would allow the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to issue cease-and-desist orders against illegal operators, including scam sites, unlicensed offshore sportsbooks, and sweepstakes-style casinos. Regulators say the bill is also aimed at protecting consumers as concerns grow around unregulated online gambling, and its progress will be closely watched by other states considering how to approach new gambling models.