The Q Casino + Resort marked a serious milestone this week with the opening of the Key Hotel, a seven-story, 90-room property that represents the newest stage of a broad renovation and growth effort on Chaplain Schmitt Island in Dubuque, Iowa. Community members and native leaders toured the brand new lodge throughout a ribbon-cutting ceremony, signaling a renewed push by the on line casino to strengthen its attraction as gaming competitors will increase throughout the area.
The lodge’s debut brings Q Casino nearer to finishing a renovation initiative valued at greater than $75 million total. The undertaking contains updates to the gaming flooring, the addition of the Island Social household leisure space, and development of a brand new outside amphitheater. The Key Hotel, which joins Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, additionally provides on-site lodging to a property that beforehand operated and not using a lodge.
Anthony Williams, president and CEO of Q Casino + Resort, described the growth as a crucial step as the property works to draw a wider vary of holiday makers. “This really elevates our ability to provide an excellent experience,” mentioned Williams, in line with KCRG. “This gives us the ability to speak to a broader audience of customers, whether it’s the business traveler, the weekend gamer, or the weekly gamer.”
Expansion Tied to Revenue Pressures
State gaming information reveals that the funding comes throughout a interval of softer efficiency for the Dubuque on line casino. According to the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, Q Casino generated $46,264,724 in income throughout fiscal yr 2025. While that determine mirrored a modest improve from the earlier yr, it remained about 12.7% under income reported in fiscal yr 2022 and roughly 8% beneath fiscal yr 2021 ranges.
Williams mentioned the numbers made clear that standing nonetheless was not an possibility. “Listen, we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t expect a return on our investment, and so absolutely, we expect all of the $75 million and more to help elevate earnings potential here in the island,” Williams mentioned. “You have to have a growth strategy.”
The on line casino’s management views the Key Hotel as a solution to recapture guests and lengthen stays, particularly as new gaming locations open inside driving distance. Hard Rock Casino Rockford launched in Illinois in August 2024 and rapidly turned one of many strongest performers within the Chicagoland space, producing $143.7 million in gross gaming income in its first yr. In Iowa, the $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids stays beneath development and is scheduled to open in December 2026.
Unlike these opponents, Q Casino now presents gaming and lodging in a single location. While Hard Rock Rockford depends on close by motels and Cedar Crossing might think about a lodge after opening, Q Casino stands alone among the many three in offering on-site lodging.
Hotel Features and Broader Development Plans
Only a portion of the Key Hotel’s rooms can be found to visitors to this point, with extra rooms and multi-room suites on the sixth flooring nearing completion. A rooftop restaurant can also be anticipated to open quickly. The floor flooring features a completed health heart and a foyer bar that serves espresso and breakfast gadgets within the morning earlier than switching to alcoholic drinks later within the day. Designers aimed to create a peaceful setting that works for each night leisure and daytime distant work.
The lodge itself represents a $47 million funding and types half of a bigger $83 million renovation and growth effort by the on line casino and Dubuque Racing Association (DRA), the nonprofit license holder for the town’s casinos. Since 1985, the on line casino has directed greater than $244 million to native nonprofit organizations. In 2025 alone, DRA shared $8.55 million in revenue with the town, serving to assist municipal companies whereas easing property tax pressures.
Local officers emphasised the function of collaboration in bringing the undertaking to completion. “This is what private-public partnerships look like,” Williams mentioned. “It took a lot of work in terms of understanding projections of what we could afford to build and the return on investment we could expect to see. At the end of the day, it took a strong partnership. … It turned out to be a beautiful project that people are going to be able to enjoy for many years to come.”
Construction continues close by on a brand new outside amphitheater that Williams mentioned needs to be completed round July. The venue is predicted to increase the occasion season on the island from just a few months every year to a year-round schedule. “We’re going to actually book regional entertainment,” Williams mentioned. “We really want to explore the world of festivals and corporate events. We can offer a fully integrated resort. Whether you’re a gamer, a transient customer — a business or convention traveler, we can host something for you.”
Mayor Brad Cavanagh mentioned the lodge had been mentioned since he took workplace in 2021, when the previous Iowa Greyhound Park nonetheless occupied the island. “To see (Schmitt Island) come alive in this way after that era has ended has been really exciting,” he mentioned.
