BetMGM enters Iowa as state scraps in-person registration
The Hawkeye State is likely to move up the sports betting revenue ranks after ditching sign-up requirement
BetMGM has launched sports betting in Iowa this week as the state ends its 17-month in-person registration requirement.
In November, Iowa recorded the eighth highest accumulated sports betting revenue among legal US states. It went live in August 2019.
During November, it generated statewide revenue of $8.1m on a handle of $87m while mobile accounted for 72% of all bets made.
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt said of the launch: “Our connection with MGM Resorts enables BetMGM users in the Hawkeye State to earn rewards, from hotel suites to dinners at award-winning restaurants, all while engaging in the excitement of our cutting-edge sports betting experience.”
The operator will offer MGM Resorts M life rewards program users the opportunity to win exclusive prizes and experiences as part of its partnership with the Diamond Jo Casino based in Dubuque’s downtown district.
Neighboring state Illinois has accumulated just over $200m more in revenue than Iowa since launching in March of last year.
The governor scrapped the Prairie State’s in-person requirement when Covid-19 hit last April and casinos and racetracks were forced to close.
Since then, Governor Pritzker has renewed the ruling twice and Illinois has established itself as one of the leading betting states in terms of revenue.
BetMGM’s mobile app is now live in eight states, having also gone live in Pennsylvania in mid-December.
MGM yesterday confirmed it was in talks to acquire US JV partner Entain, although the two parties are not close to an agreement.
PointsBet has also set its mobile app live in Iowa to coincide with the in-person registration being dropped.