Tipico Sportsbook wants to expand its US market, and it looks like Iowa will be next in line.
The sports betting company plans to become one of the many mobile sports betting apps in Iowa before the end of the year, according to a statement on Monday.
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Tipico is using a partnership with Caesars Entertainment to:
- Make its Iowa debut in the fourth quarter of 2021.
- Launch in Indiana during the first quarter of 2022.
- Launch an online casino product this fall in New Jersey.
Sports betting companies need contracts with Iowa casinos to go live in the Hawkeye State. Tipico Sportsbook will enter the Iowa market through a relationship with Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf.
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRCG) administrator Brian Ohorilko said he is up to speed with Tipico’s plans, but Isle Casino Bettendorf hasn’t submitted agreement details to IRGC staff yet.
“The next step, if they’re going to launch in Iowa, would be to have that agreement approved by the commission. We haven’t seen anything yet, but there’s still time. Our next commission meeting isn’t until Oct. 21. Submissions for that meeting are aren’t due until the week of Oct. 4.”
Tipico betting content at Iowa newspapers
Look for more Tipico Sportsbook branding and content in Iowa newspapers once the betting app goes live in the state.
On July 27, Tipico reached a strategic sports betting agreement with Gannett Co. and the USA Today Network. Gannett could use Tipico’s odds, props, free-to-play games and betting trends at about a dozen weekly newspapers in Iowa, plus some key daily newspapers and websites:
- Des Moines Register
- Iowa City Press-Citizen
- Ames Tribune
- Burlington Hawk Eye
Krombolz called the USA Today Network “a key component for Tipico Sportsbook’s US operations.”
He added:
“This historic agreement with Gannett, one of the most trusted names in global news, media and sports, will immediately bring additional credibility and trust to Tipico.”
Partnerships, brand changes common in Iowa
The pending Caesars-Tipico partnership at Isle Casino Bettendorf isn’t unusual for state regulators. The IRGC frequently reviews sportsbook mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and rebrands.
Ohorilko said:
“If the sportsbook does intend to launch in Iowa, that agreement would need formal commission approval. So, it would need to be submitted, it would need to be published for viewing on an agenda. The public can look at that, then it would be acted on at a subsequent meeting. There are other things, such as an ownership change, or maybe just even a change of key officers or rebranding. Those types of things, typically just require disclosure.”
The IRGC administrator said those disclosures can come in the form of a letter or an update of a sportsbook’s previously-approved application.
Each of Iowa’s 19 casinos can carry up to three distinct sportsbook brands, called “skins.” Customers won’t have to visit Bettendorf to register for Tipico Sportsbook once it goes live. As of Jan. 1, Iowa allows customers to register and sports bet from wherever they are within the state.
Tipico Sportsbook is Germany’s market leader
Tipico’s deal with Caesars includes some access to online casino game offerings, but that isn’t a legal option in Iowa yet.
Tipico Sportsbook is already live in Colorado and New Jersey.
Stephen Krombolz, Tipico’s VP of business development and strategy, said:
“This new market-access agreement with Caesars Entertainment is another exciting step forward for Tipico as we continue to connect with more US bettors. Indiana and Iowa are key states in our early expansion plans but there is certainly more to come. We look forward to announcing additional partnerships later this year.”
Tipico may be new to the US, but it has a 17-year history in Europe. The company considers itself the market leader in Germany and one of the top sports betting companies in the world. The sportsbook offers about 30 different sports betting options.
