Michael McKean is an experienced writer with a portfolio that includes work on the subjects of sport, gambling, travel and finance. With a background rooted in journalism, Michael first ventured into the professional writing world based in Switzerland, where he wrote for a number of language and travel sites and magazines before moving into the world of sports writing and gambling sites.
As an avid soccer fan, who follows everything from the Scottish lower leagues to the European elites, he has earned himself a solid reputation as a reliable football betting tipster and predictor. Outside of work, Michael has always gotten involved with grassroutes football everywhere he has worked and lived - UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Brazil - and still isn’t shy when it comes to pulling the boots on himself. As well as soccer, he has also developed a love of North American sports, particularly ice hockey - a love which began in Switzerland and saw him venture across the pond to follow the NHL. Moving away from dry land, he’s also a keen longboard surfer and is happiest when writing with a view of the ocean.
Penn Interactive, the digital gaming division of Penn National Gaming, has joined the growing list of mobile operators in the regulated Iowa market with the launch of its Barstool Sportsbook app this week. The platform went live in the state on Tuesday, making it the 16th online sports betting app available to Iowans.
Barstool’s land-based partner in the Hawkeye State is Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, a facility owned by Penn National Gaming’s spin off Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.
The casino also has an existing agreement for online sports betting with Score Media and Gaming, which was recently acquired by Penn National. The company’s flagship sportsbook brand, theScore Bet, started taking wagers in Iowa in February.
Other operators in the state’s rapidly-growing online sports betting market include industry heavyweights like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Unibet, and Bally Bet, as well as newcomers like Circa Sports and Fubo Gaming. The latter also kicked off operations this week, a day after the rollout of the Barstool betting app.
Barstool Sportsbook continues US expansion with Iowa launch
The successful rollout of the Barstool Sportsbook app in the Hawkeye State is an important step for the brand as it continues to work towards expanding its footprint in the US market.
The Iowa launch marks the tenth approved state for the sportsbook, and it comes barely two months after its debut in Tennessee and Arizona. The operator also has an online presence in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, and Michigan.
In addition to these states, Barstool Sportsbook has market access in Louisiana where it was approved for retail wagering at Boomtown Casino in Harvey and L’Auberge Baton Rouge by the state regulator last week. The physical sportsbooks at these facilities opened up for business early this week.
The brand is also preparing to start taking in-person bets at Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland, with online betting set to follow later. Also, Barstool is among the operators waiting to be authorized to go live in Wyoming by the state regulator this week. However, the brand has revealed that the Wyoming launch might not take off until later in the year.
What does Barstool Sportsbook have to offer to Iowans?
Barstool Sportsbook fans in Iowa can look forward to a wide variety of rewards and offers from the operator. Players downloading the app for the first time, for example, are receiving a $10 free sign-up bonus and a risk-free bet up to $1000.
The operator is also offering players an opportunity to win NBA and NHL merchandise through its basketball and hockey jersey giveaways.
