DraftKings has become the first operator to secure a daily fantasy sports (DFS) license in Iowa and has revealed plans to launch in the state in the coming days.
The new license, awarded by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), will permit DraftKings to roll out online and mobile DFS contests in the state.
IRGC administrator Brian Ohorilko confirmed the news to iGB North America and said the state regulator is also considering at least one other application a for DFS license.
DraftKings looks set to go live in Iowa within the next few days, after it replied to a number of comments on its official customer service account on Twitter saying that it will enter the state “in the coming days”.
Timothy Dent, chief financial and compliance officer at DraftKings, also said in a statement: “We are happy to confirm we have received our license to offer daily fantasy sports in Iowa after working collaboratively with the IRGC on this process and look forward to sports fans in the Hawkeye State experiencing our industry-leading fantasy products soon.”
The news comes after DraftKings this month also opened three retail sportsbook facilities in Iowa through its partnership with Wild Rose Entertainment, which operates three casinos in the state. The sportsbooks are now operating at Wild Rose’s Jefferson, Emmetsburg and Clinton casino sites.
The IRGC granted approval to the DraftKings and Wild Rose venture in August, just over a week after the first legal sports bets were taken in the state. Sports wagering revenue amounted to $4.96m in the first full month of regulated activities in Iowa.
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