Fugo Gaming cleared to launch sportsbook operations in Iowa

Fubo Gaming is the latest operator to receive approval to enter the regulated Iowa sports betting market.

On Tuesday, Chicago-based Fubo Gaming Inc announced that it had been cleared by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to launch its flagship sports betting platform, Fubo Sportsbook, in the Hawkeye State. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s premier and only sports-focused live TV streaming service, FuboTV.

In the announcement, the operator revealed that it would offer advance-deposit online sports wagering services to bettors in the jurisdiction via a market access deal with the CQ Holdings-owned Casino Queen in Marquette.

The facility had struck a sports betting deal with Vigtory Sportsbook in November last year, but the two partners had to delay the launch of the platform following the acquisition of the sportsbook by FuboTV early this year. The recent approval from the state regulator means that the company has cleared all legal hurdles required to finalize the acquisition agreement.

The exact date for the launch of the Fubo-branded mobile betting app is yet to be announced, but the operator has revealed that the brand will hit the market in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Fubo Sportsbook will mark the 19th skin in Iowa when it starts taking bets in the state.

New and innovative betting experience

In its statement, Fubo Gaming has promised to deliver a holistic and highly customized wagering experience to Iowa bettors through the integration of its sportsbook with streaming platforms.

According to the operator, the sports betting app will leverage data from its streaming platforms to understand consumer preferences and recommend relevant bets to its customers with the aim of transforming passive viewers into active participants.

Iowa will be the first regulated market for Fubo Sportsbook.

“As we enter the mobile sports betting market, we couldn’t be more excited to kick off this journey in Iowa. We thank the IRGC and Casino Queen for being the perfect partner in helping us cross the goal line and bring this sportsbook to the passionate sports fans of Iowa,” said Scott Butera, President of Fubo Gaming.

“We believe Fubo Sportsbook will provide an elevated sports entertainment experience that will bring increased interaction and engagement between sports viewing and betting. We are working with regulators in additional markets as we aim to truly innovate the gaming space.”

Fubo eyes US market expansion

The recent announcement by Fubo Gaming comes barely a week after the operator was green-lighted by the Arizona Department of Gaming to offer sports betting in the state.

The company secured its AZ sports betting license through a partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community. The deal will allow the operator to run a retail wagering venue at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort and Casino in Maricopa, as well as operate a statewide mobile betting app in the state.

In addition to the Iowa and Arizona market access deals, Fubo Gaming has secured three more partnerships across the country in the bid to bolster its presence in the regulated US online gambling industry.

These partnerships include market access agreements for New Jersey and Indiana with Caesars Entertainment, and a Pennsylvania sports betting license deal with the Cordish Companies.