Finally, Mobile Registration For Iowa Sports Betting Has Arrived
Published January 11, 2021 by Elana K
Iowa has done away with the requirement to register in-person for sports betting, and as of January 1, 2021, bettors can now register online and on mobile.
Iowa has finally done away with the requirement to register in-person for sports betting, and as of January 1, 2021, bettors can now register online and on mobile. Most Iowa sportsbooks were ready to make the transition to remote registration since their KYC controls were prepared for this possibility.
Iowa sports betting launched over a year ago, in August 2019, but the requirement to register in-person was in place from the beginning. Pre-COVID-19, this requirement was a small nuisance, since not everyone wanted to go to a land-based casino to register for sports betting. In the midst of COVID-19, this requirement became a significant deterrent to anyone who wanted to register for sports betting. Not only were casinos closed at various points, but even when they opened, those who were trying to practice social distancing did not go.
Now that registration can be done from anywhere in the state, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission expects more bets to be placed. At this point, there are 8 sportsbooks operating in Iowa and about 10 new ones are expected to receive licenses this year.
What Mobile Registration Means for Iowa Sports Betting
Although Iowa legalized sports betting over a year ago, it still hasn’t managed to surpass the $100 million handle mark in one month. Its highest handle was in November 2020 with $87.2 million. Iowa, though a relatively small state with a population of 3.2 million, has enormous potential since 5 of its bordering states do not offer sports betting. Now that mobile registration is operational, residents from nearby states can simply cross the border into Iowa to place wagers.
Johnny Avello, DraftKings’ director of sportsbook operations, said, “Even if this weren’t a pandemic year, it’s now easier for people to participate in what we offer. It’ll be a game-changer.”
As mobile registration enables more people to place sports bets, handle and revenue are expected to increase.
