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11/6/2010
2010 Casino Referendum Votes Pass By an Average of Over 78%
On November 2, 2010, by referendum, voters in 14 counties overwhelmingly approved the continued operation of casinos in their communities. Each county passed by a percentage equal if not better than the previous referendum vote in 2002. The average approval was 74% in 2002 as compared to 78.8% in 2010.
Once again, this is a very strong indicator of how the citizens in these counties view their casinos as being a viable part of Iowa’s economy, such as:
- Providing thousands of good paying jobs
- Generating an annual economic impact of over $1 billion
- Positively impacting Iowa businesses by purchasing over $200 million in Iowa-based products and services
- Funding thousands of charitable request by providing millions of dollars annually in grants
- Continuing to provide highly regulated, legal, safe, fun, and affordable entertainment venues that are committed to responsible gaming
Citizens in counties with gaming facilities are required to vote every 8 years to continue operations. The increased approval for gaming venues begets legislators to re-look at the mandated vote requirement.
The unofficial county by county results are as follows:
Blackhawk
Approved
Yes: 32,752 = 77%
No: 9,941 = 23%
Clayton
Approved
Yes: 5,583 = 82%
No: 1,200 = 18%
Clarke
Approved
Yes: 2,951 = 81%
No: 694 =19%
Clinton
Approved
Yes: 12,456 = 77%
No: 3,793 = 23%
Des Moines
Approved
Yes: 10,676 = 74%
No: 3,790 = 26%
Dubuque
Mystique
Approved
Yes: 26,449 = 82%
No: 5,710 = 18%
Diamond Jo
Approved
Yes: 26,118 = 81%
No: 5,972 = 19%
Lyon
Approved
Yes: 3,390 = 67%
No: 1,645 = 32%
Palo Alto
Approved
Yes: 3,286 = 86%
No: 554 = 14%
Polk
Approved
Yes: 110,650 = 74%
No: 38,384 = 26%
Pottawattamie
Ameristar/Harrahs
Approved
Yes: 20,548 = 80%
No: 5,026 = 20%
Horseshoe
Approved
Yes: 20,476 = 80%
No: 5,090 = 20%
Scott
Approved
Yes: 39,783 = 74%
No: 13,801 = 26%
Washington
Approved
Yes: 6,641 = 78%
No: 1,914 = 22%
Woodbury
Approved
Yes: 22,687 = 77%
No: 6,857 = 23%
Worth
Approved
Yes: 2,683 = 86%
No: 429 = 14%
Four counties without gaming facilities also held a referendum vote to remain eligible for consideration in the future for a casino license. Only one vote was defeated.
The unofficial results are as follows:
Jackson
Approved
Yes: 4,528 = 67%
No: 2,145 = 32%
Lee
Approved
Yes: 8,118 = 72%
No: 3,117 = 28%
Wapello
Failed
Yes: 5,158 = 48%
No: 5,496 = 52%
Webster
Approved
Yes: 6,841 = 56%
No: 5,383 = 44%
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