COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has rejected a Sioux City riverboat casino’s challenge to renew its gaming license, and has set July 1 as the deadline for the gambling boat to shut down.  Penn National Gaming, the parent company of the Argosy riverboat casino, had challenged the commission’s decision last year to reject a one-year license renewal.

The commission said it had issue with the Argosy’s dissolving partnership with a nonprofit group. Iowa’s casino gambling laws require casino operators to partner with licensed nonprofit groups that hold the license. Argosy’s operating agreement with its long-standing nonprofit, Missouri River Historical Development, expired in July 2012.

Following the commission’s decision Thursday, Penn National officials released a statement saying they were “beyond dismayed” by the decision.