For Immediate Release
Property to Be Renamed Great River Casino Resort & FunCity
RIVERSIDE, IOWA — Elite Casino Resorts finalizes the successful acquisition of Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort in Burlington, Iowa, effective today. Catfish Bend Casino & FunCity Resort officially join the Elite Casino Resorts family. Elite plans to quickly begin transitioning to its new name, Great River Casino Resort & FunCity.
The new name reflects the deep connection between Burlington, the Mississippi River and the history of gaming and riverfront entertainment in Iowa. Long before gaming expanded inland, river communities like Burlington played a central role in shaping the state’s gaming industry and serving as gathering places for commerce, travel and entertainment.
“The Mississippi River has always mattered here,” said Dan Kehl, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Casino Resorts. “It shaped this city, the region and played an important role in the early days of gaming in Iowa. The name Great River Casino Resort & FunCity is about honoring that history and the people who call Southeast Iowa home.”
“Randy Winegard and Gary Hoyer were instrumental in keeping riverboat gaming afloat in the early 1990’s and have been great leaders for Catfish Bend and the southeast Iowa community. We look forward to maintaining and building on their legacy”, adds Kehl. “We look forward to working closely with local leaders, organizations and longtime partners as the property transitions to Great River Casino & Resort & FunCity and continues to serve as a destination for entertainment, hospitality and community engagement.”
With this acquisition, Elite Casino Resorts owns and operates seven Midwest casino resorts and adds 500 new team members growing to over 3,000 gaming hospitality professionals company-wide. The Burlington property joins Elite’s expanding portfolio, which includes Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Riverside, Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Larchwood, Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in southern Illinois, Grand Island Casino Resort, and the Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Advisors
Innovation Capital, LLC acted as executive financial advisor to Great River Entertainment. Fehseke & Gray Law Offices acted as legal counsel to GRE, Lane & Waterman LLP acted as legal counsel to Elite Casino Resorts.
About Elite Casino Resorts
Elite Casino Resorts is a leading regional gaming operator in the Midwest and a privately-owned U.S. company known for premier casino resort destinations, first-class guest service and amenities, great entertainment, and exceptional food. With a strong commitment to community service, Elite was recognized as the Iowa Character Counts 2024 Partner of the Year. Elite Casino Resorts will now operate seven casino resorts: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, located just south of Iowa City, IA; Rhythm City Casino Resort, located in Davenport, IA; Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort, located in Larchwood, IA, just minutes from Sioux Falls, SD; Grand Island Casino Resortlocated in Grand Island, Nebraska and Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, in Carterville, Illinois IL Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack in Ogallala, NE and Catfish Bend Casino & FunCity Resort in Burlington, Iowa.