Iowa sports betting revenue is expected to rise rapidly in 2021 after the state’s US gambling laws changed to allow remote sportsbook registration.
Iowa sports betting revenue is expected to rise rapidly in 2021 after the state’s US gambling laws changed to allow remote sportsbook registration.
Iowa’s first year of legal sports betting unfortunately coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which certainly had an impact on the number of newly registering players at the sportsbooks. This is because, unlike states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado, Iowa sports betting was limited to in-person registration. Online sportsbook registration was not permitted.
Despite this, Iowa mobile sports betting handle continued to rise throughout 2020. Iowa sports betting revenue in January 2020, via mobile, was $33,846,095. The November 2020 figure was almost double, at $62,409,860. This proved the potential for huge economic benefit in the Hawkeye State, even with registration limited to in-person at the casinos or sportsbooks.
As of January 1, 2021, the in-person registration rule no longer applies in Iowa. Anyone within state lines can now register, deposit and bet from their own homes or anywhere with internet access. Not only does this make life easier for Iowa sports bettors during the pandemic, but it is expected to result in a significant boom in Iowa sports betting revenue for 2021.
There are already a number of heavyweight brands that have reacted to the news. Here are some of the remote sportsbook welcome offers now available to anyone above 21 years of age in the Hawkeye State:
With revenue numbers in other legal states continuing to rise at an incredible rate, the introduction of remote registration in Iowa could be pivotal in generating huge revenue for the Hawkeye State.