Iowa Casinos Plan Special Offers And Events For Labor Day Weekend

Written By Dan Holmes on August 25, 2023 - Last Updated on August 14, 2024
Iowa casinos will be working to make your Labr Day special.

What’s the best way to celebrate the end of summer and the American worker this Labor Day weekend?

Ring in the fall by taking advantage of exclusive offers and special events at Iowa casinos. PlayIA has aggregated some of the best casino happenings in Iowa during the Labor Day holiday and throughout September just for you.

Iowa online casinos are still prohibited, so you’ll have to get off the couch and actually visit a casino near you. Look at it as a Labor of love.

Prairie Meadows Race Track & Hotel

1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA 50009

The popular Prairie Meadows venue has a bunch of September events planned, starting with Labor Day weekend. Of course, the Saturday prior to Labor Day, Sept. 2, features thoroughbred racing and Iowa horse betting. On Sunday, Sept. 3, horses are back on the track for quarter horse races.

On Labor Day, Prairie Meadow has both quarter horse and thoroughbred races scheduled. Make a day of it and grab food at one of the restaurants on site. If you still need a reason to shake your feet, on Sept. 5 the Jerry Beauchamp Band will be banging out their polka tunes and welcoming dancers to the floor in a free concert.

You’ll be eligible for Labor Day casino promos when you visit Prairie Meadows, too. From noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, swipe your rewards card at any kiosk on Level 2 or 4 for a chance to win as much as $1,000 or bonus entries for the Gridiron Grands Cash Drawings. There will be more than 1,800 winners, ranging from 100 Gridiron drawings to $1,000.

If it’s your birthday any day in September, come out to Prairie Meadows on any Sunday and receive special birthday treatment. You may win up to $250 cash or bonus entries in the Gridiron drawings. This is open to anyone with a birthday in September, while prizes last.

Catfish Bend Casino

3001 Winegard Drive, Burlington, IA 52601

The self-proclaimed “Fun City Resort” is handing out cash prizes for its Labor Day event. From Sept. 2 through Sept. 4, visit an offer kiosk inside Catfish Bend and you might win $10 to $250 in bonus play.

Labor Day weekend will be the last chance to enjoy Huck’s Harbor, the fun water park located at Catfish Bend. The final day for entry is Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort

1415 Grand Falls Boulevard, Larchwood, IA 51241

Visiting Larchwood and the Grand Falls Casino is a real treat. Especially if you love the links and you always take your putter and driver with you on vacation. Because Grand Falls sports a beautiful, yet challenging, 18-hole course that is rated among the best in The Hawkeye State.

During Labor Day weekend, there will be a number of fun events at Grand Falls, including a concert by John Scalia & The Dirty Word. This Louisiana-based group is supercharged with energy and brings 1970s and ’80s and classic rock to the stage.

On Monday, Sept. 4, enjoy a bountiful Labor Day buffet at Robert’s Buffet at Grand Falls Casino. The cost is just $19.99, and offerings will include chicken, prime rib, ham, potatoes, vegetables and desserts. You know, everything that makes eating a great activity on holidays.

Diamond Jo Worth Casino

777 Diamond Jo Lane, Northwood, IA 50459

Yuk, yuk, giggle, guffaw, and chortle. That’s what you have in store from Diamond Joe Worth, which has a great comedy program slated for September. On Friday, Sept. 29, the entertainment stage welcomes Bored Teachers, a sketch comedy group made up of … you guessed it, teachers.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

111 3rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51101

Hard Rock is taking a tall stand for those who serve their country and community during Labor Day weekend. Any former or current military member or first-responder can receive these benefits that weekend:

  • $10 of bonus play on the 1st and 15th of every month (not just September!)
  • 15% off in the Rock Shop gift shop
  • $2 domestic beers at any casino bar (Yards, Anthem, Fuel American Grill or Sports Lounge). Domestic beers include Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light and Coors Banquet.
  • Free cup of coffee at Fuel American Grill

Or enjoy a scary night out on Saturday, Sept. 2, when Here Come The Mummies performs. This funk-rock band has made a name for themselves across the country. Must be 21 to attend this exclusive concert in Entertainment Hall.

Harrah’s Council Bluffs

1 Harrah’s Boulevard, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

While Harrah’s isn’t planning any blowout parties for Labor Day, they will be hosting two concerts in September that are can’t-miss (or must-see depending on your point of view). On Sept. 10, Staind will be on the stage. On Sept. 29, get tickets to enjoy Sam Hunt with Lilly Hall.

While at the casino, check out Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar, which opened this summer to much ballyhoo. Excessive ballyhoo, even. This restaurant is the first in the state from the famous host of television’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The price tag for this beauty was $4 million, which means you’ve likely never dined in such an amazing environment. The dining tables on the patio are adjacent to the Council Bluffs outdoor entertainment venue, called Stir Concert Cove. You may never hear and taste things so wonderful at the same time.

Rhythm City

7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807

Labor Day wouldn’t be the same without some time at Rhythm City, the spacious gaming venue in Davenport. To start the holiday weekend, this venue will be hosting a huge name in country music. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at the Event Center.

The Oak Ridge Boys had some of the biggest music hits of the 1980s, and they’ve been entertaining crowds for several decades. You can bet their biggest hits will be on the playlist.

Of course, there will be great food at Rhythm City. Celebrate Labor Day at Robert’s Buffet for only $24.99, served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. After enjoying the buffet, you can check out the casino’s new inventory.

You could drive to Rhythm City in your vehicle but leave in something much, much more luxurious! On Friday and Saturday, seven lucky winners will receive an entry to win a new vehicle in the Rhythm City Labor Day Extravaganza. The grand prize drawing will be on Saturday. The winner will receive their choice of a:

  • Mercedes CLA 250
  • Volkswagen Atlas SE AWD
  • Audi Q3 S Line Premium Plus AWD

Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo

777 Isle of Capri Boulevard, Waterloo, IA 50701

Just like Napoleon, we leave Waterloo for last. But not least. This Labor Day, the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo is teaming up with Caesars Sportsbook IA to offer extra rewards. Visit and simply swipe your Caesars Rewards card at any promo kiosk to reveal your multiplier. Could be worth lots of bonuses, prizes, and rewards perks.

College Football Labor Day Weekend

Amidst the Iowa betting scandal, Iowa colleges have football games over Labor Day weekend. The best part? The games are at home, so you can catch the action live.

• Northern Iowa at Iowa State, Saturday, Sept. 2, 11 AM
• Utah State at Iowa Hawkeyes, Saturday, Sept. 2,  9 AM

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Dan Holmes

Dan Holmes writes about sports betting, sports media, and sports betting legislative matters. He's the author of three books, and previously reported for Major League Baseball, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

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