Developers behind a proposed casino in downtown Cedar Rapids have taken another step in their bid for a gaming license.

Wild Rose Entertainment has partnered with a nonprofit that would hold the state gaming license, and be responsible for giving a portion of revenue to Linn County.

The nonprofit, Cedar River Alliance for Gaming, or CRAG, expects to get at least 4% of annual gaming revenue. That's more than the state minimum of 3%. It could add up to a lot of money for charitable needs.

"Wild Rose is averaging about $1.5 million per casino,” said Dick Meisterling, CRAG’s chairman. “Given that ours is probably-- that we're the second largest city in the state-- we'd be north of that."

The boutique would be smaller than the last proposal, “Cedar Crossing” by Cedar Rapids Development Group in 2014.

This time, fewer games, no restaurants. The total cost is a fraction of what it was, $40 million for Wild Rose compared to $164 million for Cedar Crossing.

Two years ago, Iowa Racing and Gaming commissioners denied Cedar Crossing a gaming license out of concern that it would cannibalize—that is take too much money from-- nearby Eastern Iowa casinos.

Wild Rose thinks its boutique’s smaller size will ease the commission’s worries.

"I'm not guaranteeing what the commission will do or won't do,” said Tom Timmons, Wild Rose president and COO. “But, I know that something scaled down has a lot better chance than what was proposed before."

Developers may get some insight into how commissioners are feeling about the latest proposal during their meeting, Thursday morning. The group's agenda shows discussion time for Wild Rose's intent to file for a license.

Jeff Lamberti, a commissioner and former chair, said the group will likely talk about timing for the application. But, also how members feel about the overall state gaming market.

"I believe the market is pretty saturated,” Lamberti said in a statement. “Whether a specific proposal would be favorably considered would likely be based upon our market studies."

Wild Rose is in the middle of its own market study right now to see what, if any, cannibalization would happen at other casinos. Timmons said those results will likely impact the final plans for the casino.

Members of CRAG expect officials will file a gaming application in the next month to six weeks.