Friday, March 24, 2006

"Four new riverboat casinos will open over the next 14 months, and 10 existing casinos are undergoing major face-lifts or expansions to add more gambling space, fancy restaurants, plush hotels and parking garages.

"About 18 million guests already leave behind $1.1 billion annually at Iowa's riverboat and racetrack casinos. The new casinos are expected to generate an additional $200 million per year in gambling revenue.

"One of the biggest projects will be unveiled Wednesday night in Council Bluffs, where Harrah's Entertainment Inc. will open the glitzy $85 million Horseshoe Casino on the site of the former Bluffs Run Casino. Actor Jim Belushi will appear at an invitation-only event, along with NASCAR driver Robby Gordon, who will ride into the new casino on a motorcycle from Orange County Choppers…"