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Wild Rose announces partnerships for sports betting

Wild Rose Entertainment announced on Thursday two partnerships to offer newly legalized sports betting at its casinos in Emmetsburg, Jefferson and Clinton.

Wild Rose will partner with DraftKings, a global sports technology and entertainment company headquartered in Boston, Mass., and Rush Street Interactive, a sportsbook headquartered in Chicago.

DraftKings will serve as a retail and mobile partner. RSI will partner with Wild Rose for mobile sportsbook gaming.

RSI is anticipated to launch its iGaming platform at Wild Rose casino properties sometime this year, according to Jamie Buelt, a spokesperson for Wild Rose.

Buelt said RSI will “enter the digital arena in Iowa with BetRivers.com.”

She said customers will be able to visit any of the three brick and mortar casinos to register their online account with BetRivers.com.

Once an account is created, users can log into BetRivers.com from anywhere in the state and legally place bets from a computer or mobile device.

Iowa law requires customers to physically go to the casino to register for mobile sports betting until Jan. 1, 2021.

Buelt said after that, customers can sign up outside the casino.

“Sports gaming is an exciting new adventure for our fans and players, and we want to offer the most engaging mobile services to complement the casino experience,” said Tom Timmons, president and chief operating officer at Wild Rose. “RSI takes an innovative approach to this business and stands out as a company with top-of-the-line technology for sports fans.”

Richard Schwartz, president of RSI, added, “We are really thrilled to extend our U.S. footprint by bringing our online sportsbook to sports betting enthusiasts in the state of Iowa. We are proud of growing our presence in the Midwest and are looking forward to growing the sports betting market here by bringing Iowa sports fans exhilarating new experiences while watching their favorite teams and getting in on the action.”

According to Buelt, casinos can have two mobile partners with two unique betting web pages or mobile applications.

Wild Rose’s other partner, DraftKings, isn’t working with any other Iowa casino company.

“Sports betting is the most energizing change in Iowa gaming since the slot machine,” said Timmons. “We couldn’t be more excited to be the first Iowa casino company to partner with DraftKings, which we view as the most recognizable name in sports gaming.”

Both of Wild Rose’s partnerships have been approved by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

“DraftKings is thrilled to work with Wild Rose to bring our online sportsbook product to sports fans in Iowa,” said Matt Kalish, chief revenue officer and co-founder of DraftKings. “We look forward to fueling fans’ passion and competitive spirit while building on the success we’ve seen in the other states we serve.”

A bill legalizing sports betting was signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in May.

Under that law, each casino in Iowa is allowed to apply for a sports betting license.

A sports betting license is separate from a casino license.

There is one clear exception in the betting rules when it comes to college teams, according to Buelt.

In Iowa, sportsbooks are not allowed to accept college sports in-game wagers (prop bets) involving game statistics and individuals who play for any Iowa college, including Drake University, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.

The prohibition extends to opponents in games with Iowa schools.

On the other hand, according to Buelt, pre-match betting on Iowa college teams and their opponents is permitted.

“With DraftKings’ track record in mobile betting, we can reach more fans and customers who love sports,” Timmons said. “We can’t wait to be up and running.”

A person must be 21 years old to place a bet.

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