DES MOINES, Iowa - The state of Iowa has had legalized sports wagering for roughly four-and-a-half months.
So far, operations have run smoothly, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This week, leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl, is expected to be the state's heaviest sports wagering period since it was implemented August 1 of last year.
The commission's administrator, Brian Ohrilko, says the betting operators (Books) in the casinos are expecting a major increase in wagering. "I think most of the books are anticipating large numbers for the Super Bowl," said Ohrilko.
Among the major books in Iowa is William Hill Sports Book, which operates out of four of the state's casinos, including Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel in Altoona.
Ohrilko says the books have been happy with wagering during football season, leading up to Super Sunday. "People were happy with the numbers for the Iowa, Iowa State game," Ohrilko. "I think these numbers for the Super Bowl should exceed those."
A large amount of wagering may or may not be good financially for the casinos and books, as explained by Ohrilko. Unlike most forms of gambling where the house has an advantage, sports wagering can benefit the house or the people making the wagers. "What's important is that the people are interested in the games that are being offered," Ohrilko said.
A number of Iowa casinos are holding parties and events during the Super Bowl to draw traffic to non-gaming attractions.
Almost $20 million has been spent on sports betting since it was legalized in August. That money has generated $1.3 million in tax revenue for the state.
Eighteen out of 19 Iowa casinos are offering in-house sports betting. Casino Queen Marquette in eastern Iowa is the only one not yet doing so.
So far, a majority of the sports wagering in Iowa - 55 percent - has been placed online. Ten of Iowa's casinos are offering online wagering, which Ohrilko sees as a major area of growth in the future.
But he says casinos and operators are happy with sports betting thus far. "Just from conversations with the operators, it sounds like most of the operators believe that their numbers are hitting their mark, at least from what they had anticipated or expected, at least to this point," said Ohrilko.
Iowa became the 11th state with legal sports betting and the fifth with statewide mobile wagering. It was legalized by the state legislature this year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a law last year that had banned it in most states.