Prairie Meadows Seeks More Table Games

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Prairie Meadows' table games have been so popular that the track wants to add more. The Racing Association of Central Iowa, which operates Prairie Meadows, voted Feb. 16 to add 11 table games to the 33 that were put in operation in December.

"It's because of demand," RACI member Terry Davis said. "People are standing in line, waiting for a table. We're trying to capitalize on what's coming in."

The project will cost $560,000, with revenue estimated at $1,337,000 in 2005 and $2,183,000 in 2006.

The plan requires $360,000 in construction at the track's grandstand level, which needs approval from the Polk County Board of Supervisors. It also needs staff approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

If the approval process goes smoothly, two poker tables will be added to the clubhouse card room on April 1.

The grandstand table game area would be enlarged to include six tables for blackjack and one each for roulette, pai gow poker, and mini-baccarat. The roulette table would be in place on May 1, the other tables on June 1.

The table game area is temporary while Prairie Meadows undergoes a two-year, $60 million expansion that will add 65 games, 500 slot machines, a buffet, a steak house and a concert center. It will be funded through a bank loan and officials hope to have the financing in place by the end of the month.

In January, the first full month its table games were in operation, nearly $7.4 million was wagered on table games at Prairie Meadows. Prairie Meadows' net income for the month was $13.8 million, up $2 million from January 2004.

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