Casino Queen Marquette undergoes rebranding as Bally's, unveiling a physical establishment
In the heart of Marquette, Iowa, the Casino Queen Marquette, a well-known riverboat casino, is undergoing a significant transformation. The casino, which first opened its doors as the Miss Marquette in December 1994, was rebranded to Isle of Capri Marquette in 2000 and later to Lady Luck in 2008. However, it is now set to be renamed Bally's Marquette, as part of a major relocation and renovation project.
The casino's storied pink elephant, a beloved icon, will remain a part of the property even after the move. The $21 million investment includes renovating the dockside brick-and-mortar structure that houses restaurants, valet, bar, and concert space.
The move to land is made possible due to legislation passed by Iowa lawmakers in 2007, which allowed riverboat casinos to move inland. The exact details of Bally's Corporation's acquisition, relocation, or renaming of Casino Queen Marquette in Iowa are not fully disclosed, but it is known that the company, through the hedge fund Standard General, now owns the casino. Standard General also owns DraftKings at Casino Queen in Illinois, and the Queen and Belle of Baton Rouge properties in Louisiana.
Robin Corbeil has been announced as the general manager of Bally's Marquette once it opens its doors. The casino will join Bally's Baton Rouge, which is one of two casinos Bally's Corporation has announced rebranding as part of a more unified operation.
During the move and renovation process, Casino Queen Marquette remains open for business. Once completed, Bally's Marquette will be the only brick-and-mortar casino in Marquette, as only two riverboats will remain in Iowa after the move - the Lakeside Hotel Casino in Osceola and the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs.
In the state's 2024 fiscal year, Casino Queen Marquette generated gross gaming revenue of only $20.7 million, a figure that is expected to rise with the casino's new location and renovations. The transformation of Casino Queen Marquette into Bally's Marquette is an exciting development for the city of Marquette and the gaming industry in Iowa.
- The Casino Queen Marquette, once located on the Mississippi River, is undergoing a significant transformation and will be relocated to a brick-and-mortar structure.
- Bally's Corporation, through the hedge fund Standard General, has acquired the Casino Queen Marquette in Marquette, Iowa.
- Robin Corbeil has been appointed as the general manager of the newly renovated Bally's Marquette once it opens its doors.
- Once completed, Bally's Marquette will be the only brick-and-mortar casino in Marquette, while only two riverboats will remain in Iowa.
- The pink elephant icon will remain a part of Bally's Marquette even after its move to the new inland location.
- The upcoming Bally's Marquette is a riverboat casino that was originally named Miss Marquette, then Isle of Capri Marquette, and later Lady Luck.
- With the move and renovations, the revenue generated by Bally's Marquette in Iowa's 2024 fiscal year is expected to increase.
- The transformation of Casino Queen Marquette into Bally's Marquette will usher in an exciting period for the gaming industry in Iowa and the city of Marquette.
