Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo in Waterloo, Iowa has named William Hill US as its sports betting partner ahead of the start of legal wagering in the state, property officials confirmed Tuesday.
William Hill US said that it would launch a sportsbook at the hotel and casino complex once state regulators are done preparing the rules that would govern Iowa’s nascent sports gambling market.
State lawmakers approved the legalization of the practice during their latest legislative session. Under Iowa’s revamped gambling law, residents can place wagers on professional and college sporting events (excluding ones involving local college teams). Legislators approved both retail and digital betting.
Isle Casino received regulatory approval to begin transforming a portion of its gaming floor where the sportsbook will be located. The William Hill-powered betting facility will feature eight 65-inch odds boards, 15 55-inch TV screens as well as standard and high-top tables for patrons watching the games. More information about the sportsbook will be announced as the launch of the operation approaches, property officials said.
William Hill US will also run the sports betting facility at Isle Casino Waterloo’s sister property in Bettendorf.
Both casinos are owned by Nevada-based casino operator Eldorado Resorts, which has previously tapped William Hill US as its exclusive sports betting partner. The US division of the major British bookmaker will also soon be able to take advantage of Eldorado’s $17 billion takeover of rival Caesars Entertainment Corp, a deal that would create a casino powerhouse with approximately 60 properties around the US.
When Will Iowa Go Live with Legal Sports Betting?
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has been tasked with drafting the rules under which sports betting services will be provided on the territory of the state. The regulatory body held earlier this month a public hearing on its draft regulations.
The commission will vote on those rules at a special meeting scheduled for July 30. If it approves them, the state’s first sportsbooks could be able to begin taking wagers sometime in August, right in time for the upcoming professional and college football seasons.
Of their upcoming launch in Iowa, William Hill US President of Retail Operations David Grolman said in a Tuesday press release that they are thrilled to be able to build on their extensive relationship with Eldorado as “the sports betting industry continues to gain momentum.”
Mr. Grolman added that the two Iowa locations will provide sports fans with “amazing new opportunities” to enjoy the sports and teams they love “in new and exciting settings.”
Of their sports betting facility, Isle Casino Waterloo Director of Marketing Options Jill Mejia said that “it should be a very lively environment, especially during big sporting events.”
Iowa was one of several states to legalize sports betting this year, with neighboring Illinois too being among those states. However, Illinois is still in the early stages of preparations for the start of regulated sports gambling, so it would be Iowa that will have the competitive advantage of being the first state in the region to open its wagering market.
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