After 21 years, the Argosy Sioux City on the Missouri River complied with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s order to shut down at 5 p.m., July 30. A female voice announced, “Attention! The Argosy Casino is closed. Please exit the facility at this time.”
Several dozen patrons still were playing slots and blackjack in the final half-hour as casino officials began clearing the floor. Then, at the close of business—forever—IRGC staff watched as Argosy techs counted receipts in all of the slots and table games and then inventoried all the gaming equipment, tagged it and removed it.
The next day, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City opened at 8 p.m. in downtown Sioux City, replacing the riverboat. Hard Rock developer Bill Warner and General Manager Todd Moyer took part in a “guitar breaking” ceremony followed by a free concert.
The IRGC had ordered the Argosy to shut down because it was in violation of state law requiring casinos to partner with a state-licensed local nonprofit group. Argosy and its former partner, Missouri River Historical Development, could not come to terms on a contract renewal and MRHD joined forces with Hard Rock.
The $130 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, built around the historic 110-year old Battery Building, features the brand’s signature guitar logo on the clock tower. The property also includes a 54-room boutique hotel, 40,000-square-foot casino, global-themed buffet, restaurant with outdoor dining, outdoor pool, event park and 850-seat amphitheater.
“It’s been a challenging project, restoring a building that’s 110 years old,” said Moyer, “but it’s really awesome how everything came together, and it looks dynamite.” He noted the hotel rooms were renovated “to maintain the original look of the building and the great craftsmanship.”
