Sports gambling will take the final step toward becoming reality Tuesday during a special meeting of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Commission administrator Brian Ohorilko says the regulators will take a vote on the emergency rules.
The only comments at that July 11th public hearing were from gambling and sports betting representatives, as no one from the general public made comments. He says the emergency adoption allows things to be set in motion.
Ohorilko says the earliest Iowa’s 19 casinos could take bets would be the middle of next month.
The casinos can offer on-line wagering and or take sports bets at their facilities. He says the casinos have been rapidly working to build the sports book areas, but some may not be ready right at the deadline.
Ohorilko says most of the casinos are shooting for an opening of their on-site sports betting parlors near the end of month.
The casinos can create their own betting apps, or team with a company that will provide them. Ohorilko says the apps include the ability to know the user’s location, and the online betting will not work unless the geolocation provider can identify that the person is located within the state of Iowa.
The special meeting Tuesday is at 10 a-m at the Drury Inn and Suites in West Des Moines.
Photo Caption: The Racing and Gaming Commission, Courtesy Radio Iowa
