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Iowa commission approves final set of sports betting rules

News, Sports

July 30th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials have approved a final set of rules for the state’s new law allowing sports betting, which is set to go live at noon on Aug. 15. The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Tuesday approved the new rules to legally bet on professional, collegiate and international sporting events. The new law also legalizes fantasy sports contests and internet fantasy sports betting, but delays betting based on college sporting event statistics until next May.

The new law excludes betting on some events, like in-state college team players. While it allows betting on-site or through a mobile app, players must first travel to a casino to prove their age and identity and set up an account with that casino. Mobile apps also will only be operable within state borders. So, for example, residents in Omaha, Nebraska, would have to cross state lines each time they wished to place a bet on their phones.