It seems almost every week a new state begins offering sports betting services. Since May of last year when the United States Supreme Court ruled that states could choose to legalize sports betting freely, individual areas have been jumping at the chance to begin earning more revenues from the additional gambling option. The next state set to launch is Iowa, with eight casinos primed and ready to go this week as the opening day looms.
Ready, Set, GO!
According to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s administrator, Brian Ohorilko, a total of eight casinos are preparing to be ready to launch this week. Thursday at noon is the prime starting point for the state with all eight waiting to receive the authorization to go live once they have met all the proper criteria.
The casinos that could launch this week include: Ameristar Council Bluffs, Catfish Bend, Lakeside, Isle Bettendorf, Isle Waterloo, Prairie Meadows, Rhythm City and Riverside. Four will be operated by William Hill while three will be working with Bet.Works, with all seven able to offer mobile betting options in the state.
Reportedly, the commission is still reviewing controls and online licensing should be provided in the nearest future. By next week, players should be able to sign up for a mobile account to take part in sports betting in the state.
Earlier this week, letters were sent by the commission that authorized the properties working with Bet.Works and William Hill that signups could be accepted. This way, players could begin depositing funds in anticipation of placing wagers.
William Hill properties will be ready to offer sports betting services as of Thursday. They plan on hosting opening ceremonies with Andre Dawson, a Hall of Fame baseball player to place the first wager within the Isle Casino Waterloo book.
More Coming Soon
While eight books are essentially ready to begin live services, there is still more to come. The state will be home to several operators in the future as more casinos begin offering services. Eighteen additional casinos have applied for licensing to offer sports betting. These venues will reportedly be ready by September which is when the NFL season will begin.
Most of the operators are targeting a launch from late August as this is when the college football games will have their first full week. With mobile betting, the launches will be more spread out than the live options.
Hopefully over the next few months operators will be in full swing and we shall just how popular sports betting is in the region. There are not many operators in this section of the United States offering sports betting services.
With so many operators ready to offer services, the state should be able to earn solid returns as players begin to enjoy mobile as well as live gaming options. We shall see in the coming weeks just how much is earned as operators get started in Iowa.
