Winegard to Purchase Iowa Casino Shares

As reported by the Hawk Eye Newspaper: "Randy Winegard appears poised to purchase the majority share of Catfish Bend Casino.

"According to an unnamed source familiar with the negotiations, Winegard is nearing an agreement with the Kehl family, which has owned the boat since it opened in 1994.

"The tentative deal still needs to be finalized, the source said. Any sale would require the approval of the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, which next meets in January.

"Catfish Bend, which this year was granted a license for a new casino resort in Washington, Iowa, reportedly was approached by an out–of–state investor several months ago about a sale.

"Upon hearing word that the offer may have been sweet enough to tempt the Kehls to sell, Winegard began to work with the longtime casino operators, who also have had interests in Clinton and Dubuque casinos, in hopes of keeping majority ownership of the casino local.

"…Winegard himself has had experience with casinos, after developing and selling Fitzgerald's Casino Black Hawk in Colorado which opened in 1995 and was sold in 1997…"