Wild Rose secured sports betting licenses from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Tuesday for its casinos in Clinton, Emmetsburg, and Jefferson.

A sports betting license is separate from a casino license.

“Our customers have told us repeatedly that they want sports wagering,” said Tom Timmons, president and COO of Wild Rose Entertainment. “While this is new to Wild Rose and the state, it’s a natural next step in expanding our entertainment menu. I’ve been involved in Iowa gaming since 1989, and this is one of the biggest changes in 30 years.”

To prepare for those changes, Wild Rose is upgrading its casinos.

A section of Coach’s Corner, a sports bar at Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Jefferson, is being remodeled to accommodate a sports betting area, according to Jamie Buelt, a spokesperson for Wild Rose.

In Emmetsburg, a coffee shop at Wild Rose Casino and Resort is being renovated into a sports betting area, she said.

Buelt reported that the Wild Rose Casino in Clinton was better equipped to handle the addition of sports betting, but would be adding some new TVs.

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

That was made possible when in May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case in favor of the state of New Jersey, which lifted a ban on sports betting.

Prior to that, the state of Nevada had a monopoly on sports betting. The Supreme Court’s decision in 2018 reversed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.

A bill was introduced in Iowa during the 2018 legislative session that would have enabled sports betting in the event of the Supreme Court’s decision. But the measure didn’t advance.

“Nevada casinos previously had a monopoly in sports books wagering, and it has taken decades to open sports betting nationally,” Timmons said. “Thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court decision and a law change, Iowa casinos are weeks away from accepting bets.”

Wild Rose is in the process of securing a retail partner for its sports betting, according to Timmons.

“We are extremely pleased to say that our prospective retail partner is one of the most respected names in sports wagering,” Timmons said. “They want to be in Iowa, and they want to partner with us.”

The plan is to offer customers the ability to place bets in person and through a mobile device, according to Buelt.

Buelt said details pertaining to betting on a mobile device are still being finalized.

Sports betting includes college and professional sports, Buelt said.

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

She said prop bets are not allowed for the Iowa college teams.

A prop bet is a bet within the game.

“For example, you might bet in the Iowa/Iowa State game who would score first,” Buelt said. “Well, you can’t do that in Iowa. You can bet on the outcome of the game, but can’t bet on anything that takes place inside the game.”

Prop bets are allowed for college teams outside of Iowa and for professional sports teams, Buelt said.

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

Timmons said the goal is for Wild Rose to begin taking bets in August. An exact date has not announced.