Iowa may have launched sports wagering earlier than any of its Midwest counterparts, but to most operators, the state has been taking its revenue potential at a jog, and not a sprint.
The Hawkeye State took its first legal bets back in August 2019, but it did so with a specific requirement that all players must first set foot in a licensed brick-and-mortar casino sportsbook to register and participate through an online app.
The idea was to give Iowa’s 18 licensed casinos for sports betting an experiential shot in the arm and a new pool of customers. To outside providers, the requirement placed geographical limitations on their reach.
