Ottumwa casino means bad news for Clarke County

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is planning to vote May 13 on four applications for new casinos in Iowa.

One of those would be located in nearby Ottumwa.

A recent study by Marquette Advisors, an International Hospitality & Gaming Consultant company indicates 68 percent of the Ottumwa business would come from existing casinos in Iowa. A large piece of that business, 24 percent, would come from Osceola’s Terrible’s Lakeside Casino. 

The governor recently urged the commission to approve the casino applications sighting job creation. Yet local estimates indicate a loss of 17 percent of Terrible’s revenues to Ottumwa would likely cost Clarke County some 90-100 jobs.

Additionally the loss in revenue would cost the community 200,000 visitors a year and $500,000 in tax and grant receipts.

Since its opening in January of 2000 the casino has contributed nearly $20 million to the local government and non-profit entities in Clarke County.

With nearly 400 employees, it is one of the largest employers in the region. Each year nearly 1 million visitor come through the gates. Many of those spend money here on food, fuel and lodging while they are in town.

The casino has contributed to Osceola’s status as a regional shopping center. A center that features three major grocery stores, a large box retailer, three pharmacies, a wide variety of restaurants (21), more than 300 hotel rooms which average nearly 70% occupancy levels and a vibrant square.

The members of the Commission have indicated all along they would not add new casinos at the expense of existing casinos.

We encourage you to write the Commission members a letter thanking them for that stance and reminding them of the economic benefit that Terrible’s has brought to our community.

The Commissioner’s contact info is as follows:

Kate Cutler –   West Asset Management, Inc., 808 Birchwood Circle, Council Bluffs, IA 51503,   kcutler@onlineaccent.com

Paul Hayes -   JSC Properties, Inc, 1011 Locust Street, Suite 309, Des Moines, IA 50309,    phayes@clubjim.com  

Andrea Rivera-Harrison -  3660 Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50321, Lincoln1120@msn.com   

Greg Seyfer -  Bradley & Riley, PC, 2007 First Avenue SE, PO Box 2804, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2804,   gseyfer@bradleyriley.com