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We’re left wondering – how many times does this have to be decided? In 2014, the commission’s decision stated there would be no more licenses issued for three years. Even so, we don’t believe the main issue in denying the license has changed at all.

In April 2014, on a 4-1 vote, the Iowa Racing and Gaming commission denied a new state casino license in Cedar Rapids, citing casino saturation. The commission determined a new license in Linn County would harm other casinos – especially the one in Riverside, south of Iowa City, as well as the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.

Four studies all concluded significant “cannibalization” of casino profits would occur if a Cedar Rapids casino license were approved. Two of those studies were commissioned by the IRGC itself.

What has changed in less than three years time? We don’t believe the saturation factor has changed.

Regardless, the commission will be paying for two more studies this time around. The commission voted to hire White Sand Gaming of Atlantic City, N.J., which submitted a $93,000 proposal, and Marquette Advisors of Minneapolis, which submitted an $85,100 proposal, to conduct market studies. Those were the second- and third-most expensive plans of the six applications submitted, according to commission information.

Under consideration are proposals for the $40 million Wild Rose Cedar Rapids, and two options from the Cedar Rapids Development Group-Peninsula Pacific partnership: the $105 million Cedar Crossing Central and the $165 million Cedar Crossing on the River.

Statewide information for fiscal year 2017 shows 12 of the 19 state-controlled casinos bringing in less revenue this year than last fiscal year, which would indicate a lagging market.

One factor that remains constant is the persistence of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, with investors who pushed for a casino license the last time around.

Certainly, we understand their motives. They have been after the same opportunities Cedar Valley residents were when we voted to approve a new casino in Waterloo: jobs, an economic development anchor, entertainment and a lure for visitors.

That’s just the beginning.

As the nonprofit holder of Waterloo’s gaming license, the Black Hawk County Gaming Association distributes 5.75 percent of the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo’s adjusted gross revenues for community projects. That’s helped bankroll some major projects across the region – and a lot of small ones.

A new license in Cedar Rapids would undoubtedly impact the casino in Waterloo, which would in turn impact the revenue received by the BHCGA, leading to less grant money for projects around the Cedar Valley.

Since that revenue stream was initiated, the BHCGA has been able to invest nearly $40 million into the many communities that make up the Cedar Valley.

Let’s remember that in 2003, the commission encouraged the authorization of gaming in Linn County because there was a void along the corridor in eastern Iowa. Linn County voters, however, turned down the opportunity.

That void was quickly filled by Riverside Casino and The Isle, both of which are within an hour’s drive of Cedar Rapids.

Linn County voters reversed course in 2013. However — as business people know all too well — sometimes, timing really is everything.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will hear public comments Sept. 26, receive market study results Oct. 12 and decide the merits of a new casino license in Linn County at its Nov. 16 meeting in Dubuque. We’ll be keeping a sharp eye on developments around all of these dates.

We have stated all along the prospect of three casinos within 92 miles of each other on Interstate 380/U.S. Highway 218 — at Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Riverside — seems a bit too crowded.

The commission put in a lot of time and research leading up to its 2014 decision. Thorough, and costly, studies were commissioned. The conclusion that kept coming back is the casino market is saturated in Iowa, especially in this region.

The commission used solid reasoning during that past decision-making process. We realize that the make-up of commissions change over the years, and can only hope the 2017 version of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission uses the same solid logic.