Elite Casino Resorts Acquires Catfish Bend in $100M Iowa Expansion
Elite Casino Resorts has secured approval to purchase Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity in Burlington, Iowa. The deal, set to close in January 2026, will expand the company’s reach across southeastern Iowa. The properties will soon operate under a new name: Great River Casino Resort.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGA) gave the green light to the acquisition. Elite Casino Resorts, owned by the Kehl family, has a long history with Catfish Bend—having run the original riverboat casino in the 1990s. Now, the company will take over a 30,000-square-foot gaming venue featuring 600 slot machines, 18 table games, a sportsbook, a poker room, and a high-limit area.
Adjacent to the casino, FunCity offers 241 guestrooms, 14 dining options, and entertainment like a bowling alley, indoor go-karts, laser tag, and an arcade. The acquisition will stretch Elite’s presence from Riverside Casino in the north to Rhythm City Casino near the Illinois border.
All current employees at Catfish Bend and FunCity will keep their jobs. The company also plans to introduce training and development programmes for staff.
The rebranding to Great River Casino Resort will mark a new chapter for the site. With the deal finalised, Elite Casino Resorts will strengthen its position in southeastern Iowa. The move opens doors for expanded entertainment, tourism partnerships, and coordinated guest experiences across Burlington, Riverside, and Davenport.
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