RIVERSIDE, Iowa (KCRG) - The owners of several privately-owned Iowa casinos now have formal approval for their purchase of a casino in Burlington.

Elite Casino Resorts announced Monday that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved their acquisition of Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort.

The deal is set to close on January 27.

The company plans to rename the Burlington casino to the Great River Casino Resort, after the Mississippi River.

“Returning to Burlington feels like coming home, and the Great River Casino Resort name reflects the pride we have in this community and its strong river heritage.” Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, said.

The Kehl family helped launch casino gaming in Burlington during the original riverboat era before selling to Randy Winegard, th

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