Greene County voters upped their ante by improving the overall percentage in last week’s approval to continue having a gambling facility.

The special measure is required by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission eight years after the initial passage for a casino. Eight years ago, the voters approved to have a gambling facility by 75.1-percent, which was the highest approval percentage for an initial gaming referendum in IRGC history. Then, last week’s vote saw an even better percentage of 88.76-percent, which is also another record for the highest approval percentage for a second gaming referendum vote. 

Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Jefferson General Manager Travis Dvorak recalls his initial reaction to the vote.

“My first thought was highly relieved because my career and the career of 130 employees was at stake here, so first was relieved. Second one was a little bit disbelief because 88.8-percent is a lot for anything. When I stop and think about it all, I think the thing I feel the most now is just an unbelievable amount of appreciation for this community. I’m beyond thankful that the vote went there.”

After he had time to let the vote sink in, Dvorak shares this comment about Wild Rose staying in Greene County.

“I’m kind of not surprised because I’ve worked for five different casinos in five different communities and I’ve never seen such a great relationship between a casino and the community than I’ve seen here. And that really is a credit to everybody in Jefferson and Greene County.”

Dvorak acknowledges the work that the non-profit gaming license holder, Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation has done with the fund they receive from Wild Rose of five-percent of their annual adjusted gross revenue. He says now that the second vote has passed, he believes they will continue to earn their place in the community and continue to give back.