{"id":5069,"date":"2019-11-22T10:17:04","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T10:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.offshoresportsbooks.com\/news\/?p=5069"},"modified":"2024-07-17T12:42:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T12:42:47","slug":"fanduel-rolls-out-shop-in-iowa-after-draftkings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.offshoresportsbooks.com\/news\/fanduel-rolls-out-shop-in-iowa-after-draftkings\/","title":{"rendered":"FanDuel Rolls Out Shop in Iowa after DraftKings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FanDuel<\/strong> has become the second daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator to\nlaunch in Iowa, trailing DraftKings<\/strong> by a month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After\nDraftKings set-up shop in October, FanDuel expedited its own schedule to make\nsure it will start taking ground from its main rival in the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both\ncompanies originally intended to open for business as early as August, 2018,\nbut regulatory reluctancy has left them waiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More\ninterestingly still, DraftKings and FanDuel aren\u2019t going to be the only DFS\nplatforms in the state, with Yahoo\u2019s dedicated platform<\/strong> now pending\nregulatory approval as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile,\nFanDuel spokeswoman had this to say on the occasion of the launch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited to announce that Iowans can now enter paid fantasy sports contests on FanDuel. Following approval by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, millions of residents in Iowa can now access all that FanDuel fantasy sports has to offer.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile,\nIowa started off well and claimed estimated\n$40 million in total wagers<\/a> for its first full month of legal sports\nbetting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This\nwas an improvement on the state\u2019s August 15 \u2013 August 31 results, when the state\nraked in a\ntotal of $8.6 million<\/a> in total sports handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iowa Takes DFS Seriously<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Historically,\nDaily Fantasy Sports have been an alternative to sports betting as a \u2018legal\u2019\nform of a then unregulated industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\nonce PASPA was struck down in May 2018, most states have focused on catering to\ntraditional sports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet,\nIowa\u2019s residents, lawmakers and businesses have shown equal interest in DFS.\nNevertheless, both DraftKings and FanDuel can achieve some decent synergies between\nconverting DFS and regular sports fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of Mobile Gaming a Major Issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One\nof the biggest assets of both fantasy platforms is their ability to cater to\nplayers in any point of the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However,\nin Iowa specifically, mobile solutions have been restricted to physical venues,\nmaking it difficult for the companies to drive good results as of the time\nbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While\ntoo early to tell for FanDuel, DraftKings\u2019 offer hasn\u2019t been ideal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FanDuel,\nin the meantime is teamed up with Boyd Gaming<\/strong><\/a> and specifically the Diamond\nJo<\/strong> casinos in the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite\nthe challenges occasioned by the current legal environment, both FanDuel and\nDraftKings know how to run retail sportsbooks and how to drive growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

@FanDuel_Support<\/a> Heyooo I thought fanduel went live in Iowa? Won\u2019t let me play for money!<\/p>— Fish (@HdyFish) November 22, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>