Online casino and sports betting operator Rush Street Interactive, Inc., on Wednesday said its BetRivers sportsbook will launch in Iowa on 1 January.
RSI currently operates online sportsbooks under the BetRivers.com brand in Illinois, Indiana, Colorado and Pennsylvania. The company also has a presence in New Jersey and Pennsylvania under its PlaySugarHouse.com brand.
The launch will be entirely digital, as players will be able to deposit funds and place bets on their mobile devices and computers without having to visit a land-based sportsbook, the company said.
For those who want to perform transactions in person, RSI partnered with Iowa operator Wild Rose Entertainment, LLC. Wild Rose's Clinton and Jefferson locations will allow players to deposit and withdraw funds to and from their online accounts. In addition to RSI's instant online payout system, Iowans can choose to visit Wild Rose casinos to pick up winning wagers.
RSI noted the launch comes at a time when interest in sports wagering in Iowa should be high, as the Iowa State University football team will be making its first appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cyclones will face the Oregon Ducks on 2 January. In addition, the University of Iowa’s men’s basketball team is highly ranked and is scheduled to play a number of Big Ten Conference games in January.
“We are thrilled to make history by offering players in the Hawkeye State the opportunity to wager on a broad range of exciting sports betting options from the convenience and comfort of their own homes,” Richard Schwartz, president of RSI, said in a statement.
Illinois-based RSI operates several retail sportsbooks throughout the US.