Iowa sees year-over-year growth in the sports betting market in April

Player spending in April is significantly higher than the $172.6 million spent at Iowa in the same month last year. However, April's total fell short of March's total spending of $272.4 million and also trailed February's bet of $220.6 million.

Of total wagers in April, $196.6 million was wagered online and $12.9 million was wagered through sportsbooks across Iowa.

An increase in player spending helped boost revenue to $16.5 million. That's up 17.0% year over year, but down 9.3% from $18.2 million in March.

Online sports betting generated $15.7 million in revenue in April, while retail brought in $812,305.

Total player winnings for the month were $192.3 million, including $180.9 million online and $12.1 million at retail. Taxes totaled $1.1 million.

Who will win in Iowa?

As has been the case for some time, FanDuel and partner Diamond Jo Dubuque remain ahead in Iowa. In April, the partnership generated $5.8 million in revenue from $58.3 million in wagers.

DraftKings and Wild Rose Jefferson again tied for second place with $2.3 million in revenue from $34.0 million.

Sister company Wild Rose Clinton, which is also a DraftKings partner, followed close behind with $2.0 million versus $24.3 million. Wild Rose Emmetsburg, the third Wild Rose property in Iowa, followed at $1.8 million from $20.7 million.

April's other featured artists include Diamond Jo Worth, which, like the Dubuque property, is partnering with FanDuel. Monthly revenue was $1.2 million and totaled $18.1 million.

The only other property to gross more than $1.0 million was Ameristar II, partnered with Penn Entertainment. Sales reached $1.1 million after players spent $10.0 million.

The betting scandal involving college athletes is brewing in Iowa

Against this backdrop, a scandal surrounding sports betting by college athletes continues to rage in Iowa.

The ongoing investigation involved the suspension and arrest of several college athletes. Earlier this month, emails released to the Associated Press shed more light on the case, showing, among other things, how an Iowa criminal investigator appears to have lost his moral compass.

Click here to read the latest update on this case from our US editor Jill R. Dorson.