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Iowa casino will expand
Message was posted: 10:59 Jul 17th, 2006

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Casino news from http://www.albertleatribune.com/ Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa, is getting bigger after the casino received approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commision for an expansion project. Long lines to the casino in its first three months and an attendance figure that was higher than expected is fueling the casino's $20 million addition. The cost of the original casino project, completed in April, was around $40 million. General Manager Jesús Avilés said the expansion was important because of possible loss that would be incurred if people stopped visiting the casino because they couldn't get in. “Three independent studies in 2005 projected revenues in the low $30 million dollar range,” he said. All of those studies underestimated Minnesota visitors, according to Avilés. The projection by the studies was about 600,000 visitors each year. In the first three months of operation, Diamond Jo has seen 343,898 visits - about 57 percent of the annual projection. Carrie Tedore, director of public relations for Diamond Jo said the slot machines in Northwood have the highest usage rate in the state, which means they're being used too much, which also means they've got to add. The room designated for poker has already been overrun by slot machines, but a poker room will return after the expansion, which is scheduled to be completed in the first few months of 2007. After completion, the casino will offer 300 more slot machines and 11 additional table games, along with the new live poker room, Avilés said.