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Isle Bettendorf offers sneak peek at new land-based casino

A new era in gaming is coming to the Quad Cities in 2016. That’s as Isle Bettendorf builds a nearly $60-million land-based casino. It coincides with compe...

A new era in gaming is coming to the Quad Cities in 2016.

That's as Isle Bettendorf builds a nearly $60-million land-based casino.

It coincides with competitor Rhythm City's project in North Davenport.

Both locations expect to be open between May-July 2016.

The Isle Casino and Hotel will feature a building-within-a-building.

"We created a building in the courtyard, which is right up next to our Isle Center," said Nancy Ballenger, vice president and general manager.

Construction is on schedule and moving right along in Bettendorf.

During a sneak peek on Tuesday, workers were busy transforming the space for gaming and dining.

"It really is a total experience," said Ballenger.  "You can come and stay here.  You can dine here.  You can play here."

This project started with a ceremonial bulldozer in May 2015.

"This is going to be a fantastic catalyst in our downtown and riverfront areas," said Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher at the time.

When Isle debuts this new casino, it will mark the end of floating casinos in the Quad Cities.

It's an era that lasted 25 years.

Roots from riverboat gambling are now finding lots of opportunities on land.

Nancy Ballenger was there from the start.

She says there's plenty of business for Isle and Rhythm City to succeed.

"It's extremely exciting," she continued.  "Who would have thought that 25 years ago we would have the wonderful facilities and resorts that we have now."

Isle already completed extensive renovations totalling $8.5-million on its South Tower.

One of the new stylish suites looks like something out of a design showcase.

"Some people have meetings in here," she said.  "Some have special occasions."

Featuring more than 500 rooms in both towers, it's now the largest hotel in Iowa.

There are connections to the Waterfront Convention Center and access to the Mississippi River.

"We're excited to be still next to the river and kind of in the heart of the Quad Cities," she said.

As work continues inside the new casino, this dream is becoming a reality.

"It's really modernizing the facilities and giving the customer that convenient experience," she concluded.

Experiences all within steps when Isle opens its new casino in Bettendorf later this year.

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