Bally’s Marquette advances $21M move from riverboat to land-based casino

The days of riverboat gaming in Marquette, Iowa, are coming to an end as Bally’s moves to replace Casino Queen Marquette with a new $21 million land-based facility. As part of the process, a new name has been revealed for the venue.

The rebranded Bally’s Marquette will take over operations from the historic riverboat, which has operated under various names since opening as the Miss Marquette in December 1994.

The development involves selling the riverboat and constructing a new casino building on land near the Mississippi River bridge. The site includes the former Pink Elephant Restaurant, which has long served as an onshore dining space for the casino’s patrons.

“We’re proud to honor Casino Queen Marquette’s deep-rooted connection to the community while ushering in an exciting new era as Bally’s Marquette,” said Robin Corbeil, general manager of Casino Queen Marquette. “This transformation brings the entertainment experience our guests love onto land — making it more accessible, more comfortable, and more dynamic than ever before.”

Bally’s Marquette plans to introduce upgraded dining and entertainment options, partner with local food and beverage vendors, and enhance visitor access with direct entry from the parking lot. The project is also projected to create 80 new jobs across the Marquette, McGregor, and Prairie du Chien areas.

Marquette Mayor Brittany Hemmer expressed support for the casino’s transition and said she looks forward to continuing the partnership with Bally’s Marquette.

Construction on the new facility began in October 2024, with completion targeted for early 2026.

Bally’s Corporation, which recently merged with The Queen Casino and Entertainment—the current owner of the riverboat casino—operates a network of casinos and resorts across the United States. The riverboat casino is currently connected to an adjacent building via a walkway over US Highway 18, which links Iowa and Wisconsin.