The Q On line casino + Resort marked a significant milestone this week with the opening of the Key Resort, 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. Neighborhood 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 On line casino nearer to finishing a renovation initiative valued at greater than $75 million general. The mission contains updates to the gaming flooring, the addition of the Island Social household leisure space, and building of a brand new out of doors amphitheater. The Key Resort, which joins Hilton’s Tapestry Assortment, additionally provides on-site lodging to a property that beforehand operated and not using a lodge.
Anthony Williams, president and CEO of Q On line casino + Resort, described the growth as a essential step because the property works to draw a wider vary of holiday makers. “This actually elevates our skill to offer a wonderful expertise,” stated Williams, in line with KCRG. “This offers us the power to talk to a broader viewers of shoppers, whether or not it’s the enterprise traveler, the weekend gamer, or the weekly gamer.”
Enlargement Tied to Income Pressures
State gaming knowledge reveals that the funding comes throughout a interval of softer efficiency for the Dubuque on line casino. In line with the Iowa Racing & Gaming Fee, Q On line casino generated $46,264,724 in income throughout fiscal yr 2025. Whereas that determine mirrored a modest enhance from the earlier yr, it remained about 12.7% under income reported in fiscal yr 2022 and roughly 8% underneath fiscal yr 2021 ranges.
Williams stated the numbers made clear that standing nonetheless was not an possibility. “Hear, we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t anticipate a return on our funding, and so completely, we anticipate all the $75 million and extra to assist elevate earnings potential right here within the island,” Williams stated. “You must have a progress technique.”
The on line casino’s management views the Key Resort as a approach to recapture guests and lengthen stays, particularly as new gaming locations open inside driving distance. Exhausting Rock On line casino Rockford launched in Illinois in August 2024 and shortly grew to become 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 On line casino in Cedar Rapids stays underneath building and is scheduled to open in December 2026.
In contrast to these rivals, Q On line casino now affords gaming and lodging in a single location. Whereas Exhausting Rock Rockford depends on close by accommodations and Cedar Crossing could contemplate a lodge after opening, Q On line casino stands alone among the many three in offering on-site lodging.
Resort Options and Broader Improvement Plans
Solely a portion of the Key Resort’s rooms can be found to friends to date, with further rooms and multi-room suites on the sixth flooring nearing completion. A rooftop restaurant can also be anticipated to open quickly. The bottom flooring features a completed health middle 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 relaxed setting that works for each night leisure and daytime distant work.
The lodge itself represents a $47 million funding and kinds half of a bigger $83 million renovation and growth effort by the on line casino and Dubuque Racing Affiliation (DRA), the nonprofit license holder for 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 town, serving to assist municipal companies whereas easing property tax pressures.
Native officers emphasised the function of collaboration in bringing the mission to completion. “That is what private-public partnerships seem like,” Williams stated. “It took numerous work by way of understanding projections of what we may afford to construct and the return on funding we may anticipate to see. On the finish of the day, it took a powerful partnership. … It turned out to be a fantastic mission that individuals are going to have the ability to take pleasure in for a few years to return.”
Building continues close by on a brand new out of doors amphitheater that Williams stated must be completed round July. The venue is anticipated to increase the occasion season on the island from a number of months every year to a year-round schedule. “We’re going to really e-book regional leisure,” Williams stated. “We actually need to discover the world of festivals and company occasions. We are able to supply a totally built-in resort. Whether or not you’re a gamer, a transient buyer — a enterprise or conference traveler, we are able to host one thing for you.”
Mayor Brad Cavanagh stated 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 on this method after that period has ended has been actually thrilling,” he stated.
