Iowa approves sportsbook plans for casino
The Catfish Bend Casino received the approval from the local regulator for its sportsbook plans.
US.- The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission gave the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington the approval to create a space for a sportsbook. This decision took place during an official meeting last week.
This comes after the Senate and House approved plans to legalise sports betting. The state only needs the signature of Governor Kim Reynolds in order to feature legalised sports betting.
Reynolds has declined throughout the legislative session to indicate if she supports the gambling expansion in the state. This comes despite high indications that it would succeed, as all 19 casinos, horse and dog racing and the state lottery had record sales in 2018.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko, said that the Catfish Bend are planning to spend a million dollars on the sportsbook space. “There was some areas for a betting lounge, some TV’s, a little restaurant area and a bar,” Ohorilko said.
“A few of them have made arrangements already and have entered into agreements contingent on legislation passing,” Ohorilko says. “A number of other operators are just monitoring the situation, and are prepared to respond if the opportunity arises,”. Ohorilko says it is important for the casinos to think ahead for the possibility of sport betting.
“We don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing at all for them to start thinking about this,” Ohorilko says, “and it at least gives them an opportunity to make sure that anything they build — or any agreements that they are entering into — that there’s at least a thoughtful and deliberate approach to make sure we’re getting the best opportunities in the state of Iowa.”
