Thursday deadline pivotal for Argosy's future - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

For more than a year, Missouri River Historical Development, the non-profit license holder of Sioux City's Argosy Casino, and Penn National, the casino's owner, have been trying to hash out details of a new contract agreement.

MHRD President Mark Monson says the last month has been quite calm, a change of pace from the frantic few months that proceeded the last meeting of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

Monson says there is still dialogue between the two sides.  He says their next meeting will be a big day for the future of the casino.

"All of us are pretty much at the mercy of whatever they prescribe for us to get done," said Mark Monson, MRHD president.

He declined to comment on whether he expected a deal would be struck by next Thursday's meeting of the IRGC.  

The contract between the parties runs out at midnight, but IRGC officials have said in the past they're committed to keeping the casino open until a new deal is struck or a new casino opens. They reiterated that sentiment Friday.

"There really is no risk that the facility would close at midnight at the end of the agreement," said Brian Ohorilko of the IRGC.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says there's no way the Argosy Casino will close at midnight, or Thursday, because the parties would have to request the closure 30 days in advance.