Boyd Gaming and FanDuel have recently extended the scope of their partnership with the launch of physical sportsbooks at four properties in Iowa and Indiana owned by the casino operator.
To celebrate the recent start of regulated athletic gambling in both Iowa and Indiana and tap into the two new markets, Boyd and FanDuel opened on Tuesday betting facilities at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque and Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa, and at Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa in Michigan City and Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, Indiana.
Boyd and FanDuel first revealed their partnership in August 2018. The agreement between the two companies covers all states where Boyd holds gaming licenses and is poised to obtain licenses in the future, excluding Nevada.
The casino operator currently has access to 15 US states, with those representing more than 36% of the entire US population.
Commenting on the recent launch of the four new sportsbooks, Boyd CEO Keith Smith said that together, they “continue to successfully capitalize on the historic opportunity afforded by the legalization and expansion of sports betting in new states across the country.”
Mr. Smith added that he is confident in the success of their sports betting offering in Iowa and Indiana and that the launch of the four betting facilities will further expand his company’s customer base and enhance its long-term competitive appeal.
Boyd and FanDuel are also planning to go live with mobile betting in both Iowa and Indiana pending regulatory approvals in the two states.
Football Legends Place Ceremonial Bets
To mark their entry into the Iowa and Indiana markets, Boyd and FanDuel invited four football celebrities, one at each casino, to place the ceremonial first bets. Chicago Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher placed the first bet at Blue Chip, Green Bay star wide receiver Antonio Freeman was at Diamond Jo Dubuque, Minnesota Hall of Fame defensive end John Randle attended the Diamond Jo Worth sportsbook opening, and Cincinnati’s legendary quarterback Ken Anderson placed the first bet at Belterra Resort.
The opening of the four sportsbooks in Iowa and Indiana followed the launch of a retail location at Boyd’s Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The facility opened doors this past March.
Boyd purchased the resort last September in a $280 million deal that marked its first foray in Pennsylvania’s casino gambling market. The opening of the FanDuel-branded sportsbook at the property marked the sports betting operator’s entry in the Keystone State’s sports betting space.
FanDuel and Boyd also launched a mobile app in the state in July. Their product is the only one in Pennsylvania that is available across iOS devices following Apple’s recent changes of its App Store policies regarding gambling-related apps.
Commenting on their expansion in Iowa and Indiana, FanDuel CEO Matt King said that “working with Boyd Gaming to open four Sportsbooks across Iowa and Indiana in such a short timeframe is an incredible achievement and something our retail team is proud of.”
The executive added that “Boyd Gaming continues to be a key partner as we further expand our offerings nationwide by bringing FanDuel’s first-class sports betting experience to the Midwest.”
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