DRA

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.

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

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

• Casino gaming operations
• Community grant programs
• Nonprofit entertainment venue
• Harness racing proceeds
• Regional resort hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubuque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ImOn CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 August 20235-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 & DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2023Iowa-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 GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 January 2023Architect 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 ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 January 2023General 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 GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 January 2023Hotel design partner for the new boutique hotel adjacent to the existing Hilton Garden Inn, part of the Q Casino expansion.
• HiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 January 2023Hotel 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2022Non-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 DubuquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2021DRA 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 CommissioncoreOthersRegulatory 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 CorporationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwner 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 AssociationminorOthersState gaming industry association that DRA is affiliated with.
• Dubuque JayceesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization that hosts the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display and Air Show Spectacular with DRA support.
• Veteran's Freedom CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization receiving DRA support for Memorial Day Parade and Community Cookout.
• Johnson ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChicago-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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCu_vtACnhYeZD98-S2IRz1A
• Facebookfacebook.com/DRADubuque
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dubuque-racing-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/dradubuque

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DRA