Iowa Casino Expansion Includes Sportsbook in Grand Falls

Last June, Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort — located in Larchwood, Iowa, and servicing the tri-state area of South Dakota and Minnesota — announced a $10 million expansion and renovation.

CBS’ Iowa affiliate KSFY reported in June that of the $10 million, $8.5 million will go to hotel and RV park sites, including adding 63 additional hotel rooms, and the remaining $1.5 million will go to renovating the casino’s Show Lounge into a new sportsbook and entertainment area with a center stage.

Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort Breaks Ground

Initially, construction was supposed to start at the end of June, and officials were hoping that the sportsbook would be completed in August. While that didn’t happen in that time frame, on Tuesday, Grand Falls broke ground on the new hotel and casino additions, the Sioux Falls’ publication Argus Leader reported

Grand Falls CEO Dan Kehl spoke on the happening on Tuesday, the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls documented.

“Today’s a big day for us as we embark on the beginning of a $10 million investment into the property.”

The CEO also spoke on the expansion of the hotel, which includes a skywalk that will connect to the main casino building.

“I think it’s going to add a lot more excitement to the gaming floor. It’ll raise the energy level when you have that many more guests here at the resort.”

Permanent Sportsbook A Much Needed Development

KSFY reported that the Show Lounge’s makeover includes renovating the center bar into a musical entertainment space to allow for acoustic style performances. While the casino currently has a temporary sportsbook that’s reportedly full every weekend, the new sportsbook will be designed as an entertainment destination for both sports bettors and fans alike.

This week, it was announced that Betfred would be the official sportsbook provider of Grand Falls as well as two other Iowa casinos.

Grand Falls Casino & Resort General Manager Sharon Haselhoff spoke on the Show Lounge’s renovation, KSFY documented.

“Once completed, the sportsbook will offer food and spirit options to cater to the tastes of the sports enthusiast, plush seating and TVs galore of every size so fans can watch their favorite game. We work hard to provide an exceptional entertainment experience to our guests. These new renovations and additions will offer an unmatched gaming and resort experience drawing guests from the tri-state area.”

Grand Falls CEO Dan Kehl said that the casino’s venture into sports betting has been going well and that they’re just getting things rolling and all the kinks worked out, but that the reactions of the players have been positive.

A new timeframe for the completion of the sportsbook and entertainment area was not given, but officials are hoping that it will be completed relatively quickly. Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort are hoping to have the hotel renovations completed by Memorial Day 2020.

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