Missouri River Historical Development (MRHD) was founded in 1989 during a turning point in Iowa’s history. As the state explored riverboat gaming to boost jobs and tourism, Woodbury County voters approved gaming on the Missouri River, and MRHD emerged as the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) responsible for holding the county’s gaming license and ensuring gaming revenues benefit the community.

Formed from the Riverboat Tourism Task Force led by civic leader Betty Strong, MRHD became the first QSO licensed on the Missouri River. In the decades that followed, MRHD partnered with multiple operators, from the Sioux City Sue and the Belle of Sioux City to Argosy Gaming, while helping shape Iowa’s expanding gaming landscape.

MRHD played a key role in supporting major cultural projects, including the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and the Betty Strong Encounter Center, and by the mid-1990s had already begun distributing gaming proceeds to local nonprofits and public projects.

A new era began on August 1, 2014, when Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City opened its doors under the MRHD gaming license. Ten years later, the momentum hasn’t slowed. With the support of Hard Rock and Churchill Downs, Inc., we continue to fuel projects that build a stronger, more vibrant Siouxland. MRHD has awarded more than $36 million in grants generated through this partnership—over $58 million in total since its program began in 1994.

2024: Local officials, Hard Rock leadership, and representatives of Churchill Downs, Inc. commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City with the iconic Hard Rock guitar smash.