October 29, 2005

Iowa casino expands to add new gaming and entertainment

Last June, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved a plan to add live table games and video poker to western Iowa's oldest casino. Bluffs Run, which is owned by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. will also be re-named to Horseshoe Casino.

Harrah's is investing $85 million to expand the current establishment into what will be the largest full-service land-based gaming facility in western Iowa. They based their decision to invest capital into the Horseshoe expansion on the stable tax environment in Iowa.

The new Horseshoe Council Bluffs will offer 36 live table games, including a 20-table poker room, blackjack, roulette and craps. There will also be 1,900 slot and video poker machines. It will feature three outstanding restaurants and a fabulous live entertainment venue. The new casino will add 300 new jobs and increase the current gaming space by 69 percent. The entire facility will measure more than 100,000 sq. ft.

This will be the fourth Horseshoe casino in operation. Harrah's purchased the Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corporation in July 2004. Other Horseshoe casinos are located in Hammond, IN, Tunica, MS, and Bossier City, LA.

Estimated opening for the newly expanded facility is March 2006.

	Horseshoe Casino Jack Binion Steakhouse restaurant.

When open, the Horseshoe Casino will introduce several new restaurants including the Village Square Buffet, a 400-seat buffet featuring live-action stations from around the globe. Jack Binion's Steak House will impress visitors with their choice steaks, prime rib, veal and seafood entree's. For more casual dining around the clock, JB's Cafe will offer colossal sandwiches, salads and deserts as well as Chicago-style pizza, roast chicken, pot roast, fried catfish and their famous chili.

There will also be a 300-seat bar just off the casino floor. The area can be expanded to 500 seats to accommodate a wide range of entertainment options.

A convenient 1,000-space parking garage will be constructed adjacent to the facility.

For racing fans, the Bluffs Run Greyhound Park will continue to operate under its current name and will include live greyhound races as well as simulcast horse and dog races from across the country.