SIOUX CITY, IA -
Nearly 800 slot machines, dozens of table games, restaurants, even theaters; those are just a few things all four downtown Sioux City Casino proposals have in common.
As the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission starts to make its decision, the group will be looking at everything from finances to popularity.
From "The Warrior" to the "Hard Rock," all the way to "Hollywood," Ho-Chunk, Inc., Sioux City Entertainment and Penn National Gaming have each laid out plans for what could be Sioux City's newest casino.
We're still four months from a decision by the IRGC, so what's next? How will the commission decide which casino comes to town?
First are the basics requirements.
"Pass the DCI background checks and all of that, but for the most part those are formalities," said IRGC Chair Jeff Lamberti.
But after those formalities the decision gets a little harder, since each casino proposal is pretty similar to the next.
"As a commission we're trying to say, okay, what tips the balance?" said Lamberti.
The IRGC will be looking at everything from finances to how much money each casino will bring to town and how much each will give to non-profit groups; all things Lamberti says are pretty similar for each proposal.
Then there's history.
Penn National has been involved with litigation with the IRGC to stop the entire new casino process, but Lamberti says that won't hurt Penn's chances at all.
"It would be a clean slate for everybody," said Lamberti. "That's the only fair way to do it."
For weeks now each group has been trying to gain community support, and the local voice could be what tips the scales.
"What's the likely impact in terms of the location of the facility, the amenities of the facility, of the surrounding community, accessibility, parking," said Lamberti. "That maybe as a commissioner myself from Polk County I may not have as good of insight."
The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission members will be in Sioux City in March to look at casino sites and talk to folks in the community.
The decision on what casino we get should be made on April 18th.
