Since signing the agreement with Wild Rose Entertainment and Draftkings happened in August, it was only 41 days later that sports-betting became a reality.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting was held Thursday in the Coaches Corner restaurant of Wild Rose in Jefferson. The idea of sports-betting started in the Iowa Legislature, once the U.S. Supreme Court ruled legalizing sports-betting would be left to the individual states. Iowa House District 47 Representative Phil Thompson helped work through the initial bill in the state government committee. Following the passage of sports-betting, Wild Rose President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Timmons says they were in negotiations with another sports-betting agency and Draftkings was also talking to another casino. When both sides fell through, Wild Rose and Draftkings decided to become partners. Draftkings Chief Compliance Officer Tim Dent said the match couldn’t be better.
“Wild Rose and the leadership there really meshed with our vision of what we wanted to build in terms of sportsbooks here in Iowa. So we absolutely believe we found the best partner with Wild Rose.”
Patrons can use one of three ticket windows and six self-service betting kiosks located in Coaches and the casino floor by the non-smoking area. In both locations there is a large videowall displaying games, along with a mix of smaller tvs for odds boards, a scrolling ticker with live score updates and stats and player information. Draftkings will operate all of the sports-betting equipment.
Wild Rose Jefferson General Manager Travis Dvorak said the basketball court floor in Coaches was constructed by McConnell Custom Construction, the countertop was from Janning Creative Countertops in Carroll, the cupboards at the service station were from Swan Creek in Boone and the decals on the Coaches walls were from Cutting Edge Design in Boone. Following the ribbon-cutting, the first bet was made by former Iowa State University and San Diego Chargers football player Dennis Gibson this Saturday ISU football game. Dvorak said Wild Rose donated $500 for Gibson’s bet and all the proceeds will be given to the Variety-the Children’s Charity of Iowa. If the Cyclones lose, Dvorak said Wild Rose will still donate $500 to Variety.
Dvorak shared his thoughts about wanting to have sports-betting operational sooner.
“Was I disappointed? Yes. I was one of those that the sooner the better. I wanted to be up before the NFL started, I wanted to be up before college (football) started (and) I definitely wanted to be up before the Iowa-Iowa State game started. But I can tell you right now I’m not upset because I think what I’m seeing right now is well worth the wait.”
The final aspect for sports-betting is through a mobile app. Draftkings will be the operator of the sportsbooks in all three Wild Rose locations, including Emmetsburg and Clinton.
