Prairie Meadows in Iowa Will Have Sportsbook

Assuming Iowa legalized sports betting, Prairie Meadows race track is ready after they secured a partnership deal with William Hill.

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Lawmakers believe sports wagering could be legalized in the state as early as this year.  Iowa must amend current laws after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to abolish decades long prohibition.

The casino is constructing an 8,600-square-foot sports book on the fourth floor, near the horse racing center, as part of a larger remodeling project, according to the Des Moines Register.

Prairie Meadows is the first of Iowa's 19 commercial casinos to formally announce a sports betting partnership.

"We think it's an exciting proposition," Prairie Meadows President and CEO Gary Palmer said. "There's unbelievable interest."

From the Des Moines Register:

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, plans to introduce legislation within the next two weeks to legalize sports betting.

Kaufmann chairs the House State Government Committee, which would consider any sports wagering legislation proposed in the Iowa House. He said he plans to hold a subcommittee meeting on the topic by the end of January.

"I’m not going to say it’s unanimous, but I’ve had a lot of (legislators) come to me favorable and not nearly as many coming to me unfavorable," he said.

Some Democrats said they are open to supporting legislation, but they want to be sure safeguards are in place.

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com