Bally’s Corporation has confirmed that it has entered into a multi-year market access partnership with Elite Casino Resorts, cementing its position in Iowa.
The partnership will allow sports fans in the Hawkeye State access to mobile sports betting, licensed by Elite’s Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort, located in Larchwood.
It also follows Bally’s agreement to acquire US regulated sportsbook technology platform Bet.Works, which provides omnichannel products, platforms, software and content solutions to operators in multiple states, including Iowa.
Once all pending acquisitions are completed, this new mobile sports betting agreement will extend Bally’s national footprint to 11 states. The Hawkeye State is the first state where the company does not maintain a land-based casino and will establish its market presence through its online platform.
Bally’s stated that it generally prefers to enter a jurisdiction through an owned casino property, but with how quickly the market is moving, entering through a market access agreement is a good solution for the company and one that it may use on occasion to ensure a comprehensive approach.
George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bally’s Corporation said: “We are delighted to partner with Elite Casino Resorts in Iowa. We currently operate sportsbooks in Rhode Island, Colorado, Delaware, Mississippi, and soon will be in Atlantic City.
“Entering the Iowa gaming market with our new, integrated sports betting and igaming company is very exciting and we look forward to the launch in 2021.”
