LARCHWOOD, IA. (KELO.com) — Sports betting became legal at selected casinos in Iowa on Thursday, but the closest to Sioux Falls is delaying its launch.
Grand Falls Casino General Manager Sharon Haselhoff says they’re still fine-tuning with state regulators. They hope to have online sports betting by August 22, and the in-house operation going by the end of August.
All sports betting must take place inside the state of Iowa and the betting app is so sensitive it can find you if you try to cheat by placing a bet even from just across the border.
“Trying to be placed, for example, in Rowena, that will not go through, that will be denied….it is very specific.” Rowena, South Dakota, is just across the border from the casino.
The in-house sports betting operation is called Bet Fred. Bet Fred is based in the United Kingdom.
“This will be Bet Fred’s first step into the U.S., so, we’ll be their first run in the United States. It’s kind of exciting.”
