Fubo Gaming, a subsidiary of sports-first live TV streaming platform fuboTV Inc., on Tuesday said it has received approval from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) to offer advance deposit online sports wagering within the state of Iowa through a market access agreement with Casino Queen.
The Chicago-based company said the nod from the IRGC marks an “important next step” in launching its mobile sportsbook, Fubo Sportsbook, which it reported is on track to go live in the Hawkeye State some time during the fourth quarter of 2021.
According to Fubo Gaming, its sportsbook will enhance the wagering experience for sports bettors in Iowa through the “Watching Now” feature, an integration of sports wagering and live streaming with fuboTV.
Designed as a holistic, hyper-personalized betting experience reflecting what users are watching on fuboTV, Fubo Sportsbook intends to combine data from the betting and streaming platforms. The company said it will leverage fuboTV’s first-party user behavior data to understand consumers’ viewing preferences and recommend relevant bets, thereby turning passive viewers into active, engaged participants.
Fubo Gaming has obtained market access agreements in four other states: Arizona through a partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Pennsylvania via The Cordish Companies, and Indiana and New Jersey via Caesars Entertainment Inc.
“As we enter the mobile sports betting market, we couldn’t be more excited to kick off this journey in Iowa,” Scott Butera, president, Fubo Gaming, said in a statement. “We thank the IRGC and Casino Queen for being the perfect partner in helping us cross the goal line and bring this sportsbook to the passionate sports fans of Iowa.”
Butera added: “We believe Fubo Sportsbook will provide an elevated sports entertainment experience that will bring increased interaction and engagement between sports viewing and betting. We are working with regulators in additional markets as we aim to truly innovate the gaming space.”
