An Iowa Court of Appeals ruling has moved the long legal fight over the Belle of Sioux City Riverboat one step closer to being done. The court upheld the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s decision to deny the renewal of Penn National Gaming’s license for the casino in April of 2013 after the company failed to renegotiate a contract with the non-profit Missouri River Historical Development (MRHD). MRHD president, Mark Monson, says he hopes the ruling finally puts the casino dispute to rest:
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I-R-G-C administrator, Brian Ohorilko was also happy to hear the ruling.
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Iowa requires one license for an owner to operate the casino, and an agreement with a non-profit organization which is awarded a license to conduct gambling games.
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The Hard Rock Casino opened in downtown Sioux City after the Argosy riverboat closed in 2014. The riverboat was eventually sold and towed away.