Hard Rock extends sports betting reach in Iowa
Supported by a new partnership with GiG, the Iowa facility Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City kicked off its sports betting operations.
US.- The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City kicked off its sports betting operations late on Friday. The launch was supported by a new partnership between Hard Rock and Gaming Innovation Group (GiG).
The launch established Hard Rock International’s market entry in Iowa. The sportsbook launched with four betting kiosks, but online and mobile sports betting in the fourth will follow in the fourth quarter of the year.
Hard Rock’s Senior VP of Online Gaming, Kresimir Spajic, said: “We’re excited to extend our partnership with GiG to support sports betting in Iowa, and further grow our sportsbook portfolio.”
When announcing the partnership, GiG said that it will leverage its platform in the US by adding more scale to its network and revenues to the business. “GiG already has the groundwork done in New Jersey after a successful proof of concept suitable and relevant to the American audience,” explained GiG.
Iowa launched its sports betting market on August 15 and became the 11th in the US to do so. However, Iowa is also the first in the Midwest to allow that gambling modality. Current laws allow bets at casinos, online or mobile, although people have to be in Iowa to wager.
First month of operations in Iowa
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona was the facility with the best numbers in August. The casino totalled US$3.4 million in sports handle and paid approximately US$2.9 million to gamblers. It also contributed US$35k to the state, which is US$3k higher than what Ameristar II registered. The latter came in second place as it reported US$1.3 million in sports betting handle and US$884k in payouts.
Moreover, Isle of Capri registered US$645k in sports betting handle, while Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs reported US$441k. The facilities totalled US$493k and US$248k in sports betting payouts, respectively.
