Iowa’s Diamond Jo Casino Prepared To Launch Sports Betting

• Regulations must be approved before sports betting in Iowa launches.
• The industry is expected to take off by the start of the college football season.
• Diamond Jo Casino is operated by Boyd Gaming, who operates 29 casinos nationwide.

DUBUQUE – Regulations are being set in Iowa that would have legal sports betting up and running by early August.

The responsibility lies on the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, who will authorize the sports betting licenses. Details such as how odds will be posted, funding mobile betting accounts, and information about problem gambling must be agreed upon and then undergo a public hearing.

“It might be nice to be in a situation where wagers are accepted prior to that in an effort to work out any bugs, if there are any, prior to the busy season,” said Brian Ohorilko, the commission’s director of gaming.

However, the Diamond Jo Casino isn’t waiting until the college football season to get their sports betting plans in action.

The 38,400 square-foot casino sits upon the Mississippi River which borders northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Neither of these neighboring states has legalized sports betting and casino GM, Wendy Runde, is ready to take advantage of that.

“We’re looking at it as an opportunity. There is mass appeal in this activity,” said Runde. “And it’s an opportunity to drive traffic into our casino floor and into our doors in general.”

Supplied by Boyd Gaming, the Diamond Joe will be ready to launch their industry without any hesitation.

Boyd Gaming has 29 casinos in 10 states – the majority of them in the Las Vegas market. Being established legal sports betting states such as Nevada, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, Boyd knows exactly what to expect moving forward.

“[Sports Betting] has been a proven revenue growth driver for our sister properties at Boyd Gaming with recent legislation changes,” said Runde.

Legal sports betting in Iowa would be permitted for those who are 21 and older on both professional and collegiate sporting events. Action would also be allowed to take place on international and motor racing events.

SF 617, the bill that was signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on Monday, would also allow for mobile betting. However, players must physically sign up at the casino in order to get started using the mobile app until 2021.

News tags: Diamond Jo Casino | Iowa