Gaming News

Iowa group pushes for casino

NEWTON, Iowa -- As reported by the Des Moines Register: " A proposed Newton casino and resort hotel would be built adjacent to the Iowa Speedway on Interstate Highway 80, providing a "golden opportunity" to add another major attraction to the community, casino supporters said Monday night.

"The newly established Jasper County Gaming Development Authority, a nonprofit group, is planning the casino complex with Regency Land Development of West Des Moines. Regency would develop 62 acres along I-80 which it has owned since 1999.

"Representatives of the pro-gambling organization had announced earlier this month they planned to collect signatures to authorize a referendum in April to permit a casino in Jasper County. But they had declined to confirm where the casino complex would be built until they made a presentation at Monday night's Newton City Council meeting.

"...Dennis Julius, a former Newton City Councilman who is chairman of the Jasper County Gaming Development Authority, said the casino/hotel would generate 400 to 600 jobs. The gambling complex would diversify the economy of Newton, which was hurt by the shutdown of the Maytag's appliance factory here, he said. As recently as 2002, Maytag had employed 2,600 people in Newton.

"A Newton casino would also generate millions of dollars annually for nonprofit organizations throughout Jasper County that need money to improve parks, libraries, downtown areas, and for other community betterment projects, Julius said..."

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