The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission voted unanimously to deny a stay of the order to close the Sioux City riverboat casino on July 1st. The commission heard 30 minutes of arguments on both sides before reaching their decision. Attorney Mark Weinhardt, representing the Argosy Casino’s operator Penn Gaming, asked the commission to keep the casino open until the pending lawsuit is decided or at least until the new land-based Hard Rock Casino opens on August 1st. He says the closing will impact 260 employees.
He says it’s an emergency situation and keeping the casino open would give the district court judge hearing their lawsuit more time to act on the case.
John Lundquist from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office presented the state’s argument. Lundquist says Penn could have brought the request a long time ago.
A Polk County district court judge ruled that the Argosy can stay open through July 10th.
