Unibet — a 24-year-old gaming operator with deep international ties — is just a few months away from going live in Iowa.
PlayIA spoke with Manuel Stan, the US senior vice president at Unibet. The sportsbook is “targeting the start of the football season,” to go live; however, hasn’t set a specific date.
“We are working with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission through the licensing process and we are hopeful we will launch in the next few months.”
Unibet Sportsbook grows Midwest ‘footprint’
Unibet Sportsbook would enter the Iowa market via a partnership with Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino. The book would be the second skin at the Council Bluffs casino, which also hosts William Hill-branded kiosks on site.
Unibet’s launch in Iowa is part of its growth in the Midwest. Stan said:
“We continue to expand our footprint in the Midwest with at least two states in 2021: Iowa and Illinois. Having a strong regional footprint is key to being successful in each of the states in the region.”
The sportsbook launched in Indiana on July 30, and is expected to go live in Illinois via a partnership with the Argosy Casino in Alton, IL.
What Iowa bettors can expect from Unibet
Unibet features extensive live betting options, especially during NFL season.
Stan used the Hawkeye’s March 12 game against Wisconsin as an example of Unibet’s approach to wagering. The sportsbook offered 110 different betting markets for the game.
“The wide offer of betting types, including great live coverage for all main sports, puts us in a leading spot. But, the product offer is just a part (of) the customers’ overall experience. From registration to payment options — both deposits as well as withdrawals — to customer support and marketing promotions, we aim to offer a seamless, best-in-class experience to our customers across all states.”
Iowa online registration ushers Unibet launch
Sportsbook operators could offer regulated sports betting in Iowa with the passage of SF 617 in May 2019. At first, sports bettors needed to visit one of Iowa’s brick-and-mortar casinos to activate their account in order to enjoy mobile sports betting. That requirement came to an end at the start of 2021.
Stan said:
“While the initial in-person registration was a hurdle for many operators, including Unibet, the current landscape puts Iowa on the top (with) one of the better (sets of) regulations in the United States. We are confident Iowa will continue to grow into one of the most successful markets in the Midwest.”
Unibet is currently live in Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
