Sportsbook operator William Hill announced yesterday that it has entered sports betting partnership with Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Iowa.
Under the deal, William Hill will become the casino’s official sports book operator in the event that sports betting becomes legal in Iowa.
Although efforts to legalize sports betting in 2018 were unsuccessful, state lawmakers have said that industry stakeholders are “all in” for legalization in 2019.
If sports betting is legalized in 2019, William Hill will operate a sportsbook at the Prairie Meadows casino subject to approval from state regulators.
In a press statement Joe Asher, William Hill US CEO said: “We are excited about the prospect of sports betting in Iowa and are thrilled to partner with Prairie Meadows to be ready for the day when sports betting is legal in the state.
“We are building a first-class sportsbook that will make Prairie Meadows the place to bet and watch the games.”
According to the statement, the William Hill sportsbook will take up more than 8,600 square foot and will be located on the Casino’s level 4, near that casino’s racing center.
The sportsbook will feature “a new bar surrounded by state-of-the-art video wall technology for viewing sporting events and with live betting odds.”
Gary Palmer, President and CEO of Prairie Meadows said: “Prairie Meadows is thrilled to partner with William Hill, the best name in sports betting, to establish a world-class sports betting experience for our guests.
Brad Rhines, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategic Officer of Prairie Meadows went on to say: “We are excited to expand our resort offerings with a fully renovated Clubhouse that includes both our racing center and new William Hill sports book. Once the legislative process is complete, this innovative partnership will provide many fun and unique sports betting options for our guests.”
Although sports betting is not legal in every US state, that hasn’t stopped operators and suppliers from forming partnerships in states where sports betting is still illegal.
Last year, four casinos in New York entered partnerships with some of the largest sports betting suppliers in the country.
More recently the Oneida Indian Nation entered a partnership with Caesars for sports betting in New York in the event that sports betting is legalized.
In October last year, MGM GVC Interactive partnered with the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) for sports betting in California once the state legalizes the activity.
