DRA
DRA (Dubuque Racing Association) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that operates Q Casino + Resort and co-licenses Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa, channeling gaming proceeds into community grants serving nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions across the Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois tri-state region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersDubuque, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What DRA does
DRA (Dubuque Racing Association) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization founded in 1984–85 in Dubuque, Iowa, that operates regional gaming and entertainment facilities and channels the resulting proceeds back into the community. Its core assets are Q Casino + Resort, which it owns and operates under a long-term lease with the City of Dubuque (extended in 2022 to run through December 31, 2055), and a co-licensee relationship with Boyd Gaming's Diamond Jo Casino. DRA also manages the ImOn Arena on Chaplain Schmitt Island under a partnership with the Schmitt Island Development Corporation. The organization employs 101–250 people and is governed by a 21-member volunteer board.
DRA's revenue is generated entirely through gaming and entertainment operations: casino floor gaming, sports betting (added in 2019), hotel and event space, and ancillary entertainment. The technology footprint is primarily physical—casino infrastructure, hotel facilities, and an ice arena—with a GrantInterface online portal handling grant applications. There is no disclosed AI, SaaS, or digital product layer; the operating model is fundamentally real-estate-and-license-driven.
DRA's distinctive business model converts gaming revenue into community grantmaking. Two structured programs operate in parallel: Core Grants (up to $50,000) for capacity building and material purchases, and Mission Grants ($50,000–$500,000) for large-scale transformational projects, with both now focused on "People Attraction: Population Growth, Retention and Tourism" in the tri-state area of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Since 1985, DRA reports $1B+ in total economic impact, $244M+ returned to the City of Dubuque, 5,500+ grants to 1,500+ organizations, and approximately 1 of every 7 dollars in the City's operating general fund. The customer base is a long tail of regional nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions, with casino patrons themselves being the indirect funding source.
DRA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DRA
- Legal name
- Dubuque Racing Association
- Website
- https://dradubuque.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- DRA (Dubuque Racing Association) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that operates Q Casino + Resort and co-licenses Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa, channeling gaming proceeds into community grants serving nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions across the Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois tri-state region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DRA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Casino Gaming and Community Philanthropy
- NAICS
- Casino Hotels (721120), Gambling Industries (7132)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Destination Casino Hotels (THAGAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Destination/Regional Casinos (Drive-to Markets) (MPAEAAAC)
Keywords
Where DRA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubuque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DRA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Gaming Operations Revenue: DRA generates revenue through casino gaming operations at Q Casino + Resort (which it owns and operates) and as co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino. Gaming taxes and casino profits support the City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, local charitable organizations, and the State of Iowa. In 2019, DRA distributed over $21 million to multiple entities including the State of Iowa, City of Dubuque, Dubuque County, and local non-profits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Core Grants up to $50,000 for capacity building and material purchases |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Mission Grants $50,000 - $500,000 for transformational projects |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
DRA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DRA operates Q Casino + Resort and serves as co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa, providing casino gaming, hotel, dining, and live entertainment services. It also manages ImOn Arena and the Schmitt Island development while redistributing 100% of its net gaming proceeds through Core Grants (up to $50,000) and Mission Grants ($50,000–$500,000) to nonprofit, government, and educational organizations in its service area.
Product overview
DRA (Dubuque Racing Association) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of gaming, entertainment, and community giving programs. The core operations center on Q Casino + Resort, a major gaming and entertainment facility on Chaplain Schmitt Island undergoing a $75+ million renovation. DRA also serves as co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino and manages ImOn Arena (an ice arena with naming rights from ImOn Communications). The organization funds its community philanthropy through gaming proceeds, offering two structured grant programs: Core Grants (up to $50,000) supporting capacity-building and material purchases, and Mission Grants ($50,000-$500,000) for large transformational projects focused on population growth, retention, and tourism in the tri-state area. Schmitt Island Development represents the master plan for comprehensive redevelopment of the island property.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Q Casino + Resort A gaming and entertainment resort operated by DRA in Dubuque, Iowa, offering casino gaming, hotel lodging, dining, and live entertainment to regional visitors and tri-state area guests.
- Diamond Jo Casino (co-licensee) A casino property in Dubuque, Iowa, in which DRA serves as co-licensee, providing gaming and entertainment services to patrons in the tri-state area.
- ImOn Arena An ice arena and entertainment venue managed by DRA, hosting hockey, skating, concerts, and community events for regional audiences.
- Core Grants A DRA community grant program offering funding of up to $50,000 per award to nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions in DRA's tri-state service area.
- Mission Grants A DRA community grant program offering larger-scale funding of $50,000 to $500,000 per award to qualifying nonprofits, schools, and government entities in DRA's tri-state service area.
Quantifiable outcome
- $244 million+ returned to City of Dubuque since 1985
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use DRA
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DRA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
DRA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- ImOn Communicationscore5-year naming rights agreement worth $500,000 for the ice arena on Chaplain Schmitt Island, which was renamed ImOn Arena. ImOn Communications, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, provides high-speed fiber Internet, TV, and phone services. The partnership supports SID's commitment to redeveloping the island and marketing the facility as a year-round destination.
- RDG Planning & DesigncoreIowa-based firm engaged to develop a comprehensive development plan for Schmitt Island. The $302,660 investment includes natural areas inventory, water resources analysis, parks and recreation assessment, economic considerations, infrastructure evaluation, and financial models.
- DLR GroupcoreArchitect of Record for the $75-80 million Q Casino renovation and expansion project. The multi-year project involves five phases including temporary casino, main casino remodel, family entertainment area, new hotel, and exterior upgrades.
- Conlon ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor for the Q Casino renovation and expansion project. Iowa-based company awarded the construction work with 78% of hard construction going to Dubuque area contractors and 99.7% to Iowa-based contractors.
- Gettys GroupcoreHotel design partner for the new boutique hotel adjacent to the existing Hilton Garden Inn, part of the Q Casino expansion.
- HiltoncoreHotel franchise and revenue management partner for the new boutique hotel being constructed as part of Phase 4 of the Q Casino expansion.
- Schmitt Island Development Corporation (SID)coreNon-profit organization created to oversee the redevelopment of Chaplain Schmitt Island. SID manages the ImOn Arena along with DRA, which oversees day-to-day operations. SID was created earlier in 2022 to facilitate island development.
- City of DubuquecoreDRA holds the license for gaming operations at Q Casino, a facility owned by the City of Dubuque. Amended lease approved in 2021 extends through December 31, 2055 (32 years). Lease equally distributes year-end funds to City of Dubuque, local non-profits, and Schmitt Island Development fund.
- Iowa Racing and Gaming CommissioncoreRegulatory body that must approve lease agreements, renovation plans, and gaming licenses. DRA is regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission as the license holder for casino-gaming operations.
- Boyd Gaming CorporationmajorOwner of Diamond Jo Casino since 2012. Works with DRA as co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino. Diamond Jo and Boyd Gaming strongly believe in giving back to communities.
- Iowa Gaming AssociationminorState gaming industry association that DRA is affiliated with.
- Dubuque JayceesminorCommunity organization that hosts the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display and Air Show Spectacular with DRA support.
- Veteran's Freedom CenterminorCommunity organization receiving DRA support for Memorial Day Parade and Community Cookout.
- Johnson ConsultingminorChicago-based consulting firm engaged by DRA to complete the Schmitt Island Development and Sports Complex Feasibility Study, providing expertise in strategic planning and development services.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DRA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Golden Entertainment: Golden Entertainment operates Nevada and Maryland casino-resort and tavern/bar operations. Comparable as a regional casino and hospitality operator with a focus on drive-to and local gaming markets similar to DRA's tri-state catchment.
- Century Casinos: Century Casinos operates small-to-mid regional casino properties in the U.S. and Europe with integrated lodging. Comparable in regional casino scale and integrated hospitality offering to DRA's tri-state operation.
- Penn Entertainment: Penn operates regional casinos and a historical racing footprint similar to DRA's origins, and competes for regional drive-to gaming spend across the Midwest. Comparable in regional casino scale, mixed gaming/hospitality offering, and sportsbook exposure.
- Monarch Casino & Resort: Monarch operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno and the Black Hawk property in Colorado - destination casino-hotels with integrated lodging, F&B, and gaming. Closest pure-play comparable in scale and product mix to DRA's Q Casino + Resort.
- Boyd Gaming Corporation: Boyd Gaming owns Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, where DRA serves as co-licensee and shares in gaming proceeds. Boyd is also a regional casino-hotel operator with destination properties, making it the most directly comparable operator to DRA's Q Casino + Resort business.
- Red Rock Resorts: Red Rock Resorts operates Station Casinos' regional Las Vegas locals and destination properties. Comparable as a multi-property regional casino operator focused on integrated gaming, hotel, and entertainment experiences.
- Full House Resorts: Full House Resorts operates small-to-mid-sized regional casino-resort properties across the U.S. Most directly comparable in scale and regional destination positioning to DRA's Q Casino + Resort.
- Churchill Downs Incorporated: Churchill Downs operates regional casino and racing properties with destination hospitality assets, mirroring DRA's blend of casino operations, historical pari-mutuel roots, and resort-style development.
Broad incumbents
- Bally's Corporation: Bally's is a diversified regional and international casino operator with a growing destination-resort portfolio and online gaming exposure. Comparable as a broad incumbent across regional gaming markets and integrated resort products.
- MGM Resorts International: MGM is the source of DRA's incoming CEO Anthony Williams and operates destination casino-resort properties nationally. Comparable as a broad incumbent in destination casino hospitality, though substantially larger than DRA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DRA social profiles
Digital presenceDRA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DRA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
DRA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
DRA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DRA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DRA
What does DRA do?
DRA operates Q Casino + Resort and serves as co-licensee for Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa, providing casino gaming, hotel, dining, and live entertainment services. It also manages ImOn Arena and the Schmitt Island development while redistributing 100% of its net gaming proceeds through Core Grants (up to $50,000) and Mission Grants ($50,000–$500,000) to nonprofit, government, and educational organizations in its service area.
Is DRA a public or private company?
DRA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was DRA founded?
DRA was founded in 1985. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is DRA based?
DRA is headquartered in Dubuque, United States, in the North America region.
How does DRA make money?
One revenue line is on record: gaming Operations Revenue.
Who are DRA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Golden Entertainment, Century Casinos, Penn Entertainment, Monarch Casino & Resort, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Red Rock Resorts, Full House Resorts and Churchill Downs Incorporated. Broad incumbents are Bally's Corporation and MGM Resorts International.
Does DRA have an API?
No public API is recorded for DRA.
What industry is DRA in?
DRA's product category is Casino Gaming and Community Philanthropy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAJAC, Destination Casino Hotels, with a secondary code of MPAEAAAC, Destination/Regional Casinos (Drive-to Markets). Its NAICS code is 721120 and its SIC code is 7900.