Iowa Racing and Gaming Administrator Tina Eick says the state’s casinos and sports wagering industry are finishing the year in solid shape.
Eick says through the end of November, casino revenue statewide is down about a half-percent for the calendar year. But she says sports wagering has been a bright spot, with sportsbook revenue up 22 percent.
Eick says Iowa continues to face increasing competition — including a new factor across the border.
Mobile sports betting has now launched in Missouri, and Eick says she expects major interest there. Still, she says Iowa’s market remains strong with 11 operators and she’s optimistic Iowans will continue to wager here.
Eick says it will take a few months to see how Missouri’s new competition affects Iowa numbers. She says the first data that could show an impact should come in during January.
Weather has also played a role, especially during the Thanksgiving weekend, when storms and poor travel conditions hurt casino traffic in parts of the state. Eick says improved weather at the end of December is helping.
Eick also says the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has encouraged casinos to keep investing in and updating their properties to stay competitive — especially in border areas.
She points to the Omaha and Council Bluffs region, where projections suggested casinos could lose up to 30 to 45 percent of their business. Eick says the actual impact has been much smaller — closer to 10 to 15 percent.
The end of December also marks the halfway point in the fiscal year for Iowa’s casinos and sportsbooks.