- Elite On line casino Resorts expects its acquisition of Catfish Bend On line casino and FunCity to shut in January 2026
- The properties might be rebranded because the Nice River On line casino Resort
Catfish Bend On line casino and FunCity Resort in Iowa’s Burlington is being rebranded.
Catfish Bend On line casino and its neighboring FunCity Resort in Davenport might be absolutely acquired in January by Elite On line casino Resorts. The undisclosed phrases for the on line casino resort acquisition had been authorised this week by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Affiliation. (Picture: Tripadvisor)
In August, On line casino.org reported on Iowa-based Elite On line casino Resorts’ settlement to buy Catfish Bend and FunCity from businessman Randy Winegard. Phrases of the acquisition weren’t disclosed, as each entities are privately held.
Elite announced this week that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Fee (IRGA) had signed off on the transaction. Returning Catfish Bend to the Elite portfolio is a full-circle second for the corporate’s founders and longtime house owners, the Kehl household, as they operated the unique Catfish Bend riverboat within the early Nineties.
“It is a significant day for our household,” mentioned Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite On line casino Resorts. “Returning to Burlington looks like coming dwelling.”
With the IRGA’s blessing, Elite expects to shut the Catfish Bend and FunCity deal on Jan.27, 2026. Elite is managed by the Kehls, however the firm is employee-owned, with the corporate reporting greater than 1,200 unitholders.
Catfish Rebranding
As soon as the sale of the on line casino and family-friendly leisure park is absolutely executed, Catfish Bend, which turned a land-based on line casino in 2007 following Winegard’s shopping for of the boat from the Kehls, and FunCity, might be rebranded. Elite On line casino Resorts says the Burlington vacation spot will turn into the Nice River On line casino Resort.
The Nice River On line casino Resort identify displays the delight now we have on this group and its robust river heritage,” mentioned Kehl.
Elite officers say all staff at Catfish Bend and FunCity might be provided continued employment. These excited about pursuing new roles might be afforded coaching and improvement applications.
We sit up for collaborating with native stakeholders as we transition to the Nice River On line casino Resort and proceed supporting the communities that make this area particular,” Kehl added.
Catfish Bend is a 30K-square-foot gaming facility with 600 slot machines, 18 desk video games, a sportsbook, a poker site, and a high-limit room. FunCity contains 241 guestrooms with 14 meals and beverage choices, a bowling alley, an indoor go-kart observe, laser tag, and an arcade.
Elite Territory
Following its unsuccessful authorized problem to permit a $275 million on line casino resort to be inbuilt Cedar Rapids, which is predicted to most negatively affect Elite’s Riverside On line casino & Golf Resort, Kehl’s firm turned its focus to southeastern Iowa. Elite’s buy of Catfish Bend will present the corporate with a bigger regional footprint.
Catfish secures southeast Iowa and enhances Elite’s Rhythm Metropolis On line casino Resort in Davenport close to the Illinois border. From Riverside, roughly 35 miles south of Cedar Rapids, east to the Illinois border and south to Missouri, Elite may have three casinos come subsequent yr. The lone competitors in that vast space is Isle On line casino Lodge Bettendorf, a property managed by Caesars Leisure.
