Iowa reports first month of sports betting activity
The first report on sports betting from the local commission shows that US$8.5 million was bet at 13 Iowa casinos in August.
US.- The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has released its first report detailing sports betting activity in the state. The report indicates that 13 casinos registered more than US$8.5 million in bets in just 15 days, while the state obtained US$146k in tax revenue.
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 totaled US$493k and US$248k in sports betting payouts, respectively.
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 Iowans to bet at casinos or online through a mobile app, though they have to be in the state to be able to bet.
