Iowa Online Gambling

Latest on sports betting, online gambling and lottery in the Hawkeye State

The latest Iowa casino updates, offers from Iowa online sports betting operators, and Iowa gambling news, are all right here at PlayIA.com. You’ll find reviews for legal gaming operators in Iowa along with college football and NFL betting odds.

So, whether you’re checking out the newest Iowa casino or comparing odds at an Iowa sportsbook, PlayIA.com can guide you through the process! The Iowa gambling industry features 23 state and tribal casino destinations and nearly 20 sportsbooks, so there are plenty of options in the state.

Best Iowa online sportsbooks

Affiliate Disclosure: If you place a bet at a sportsbook or online casino through one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This may influence the gambling operators we list; however, the editors and writers of this website operate at their sole discretion, and their opinions are not beholden to any outside entity or organization. We recommend only legal and trusted gambling operators.

Rank
Sportsbook
Bonus
Features
Play
1
Bet $5
Get $300
In Bonus Bets
FanDuel Sportsbook Review
  • Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins
  • Available on Desktop, Android & iOS
  • Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+
  • To Claim: Click Play Now
2
Up to $1,000
In Bonus Bets
Bet365 Sportsbook Review
  • First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000, or Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets
  • 30% Extra on Same Game Parlay Profit
  • Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER 21+
  • Use Bonus Code: PLAYIA
3
Up to $1,500
In Bonus Bets
BetMGM Sportsbook Review
  • Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
  • *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms. 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Use Bonus Code: PLAYIA
4
$1,000 First Bet
On Caesars
Caesars Sportsbook Review
  • Up to $1,000 Back as a Bonus Bet if Your Bet Loses
  • Stream NFL Games In-App for Free
  • 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Use Promo Code: PLAYIA1000
5
Up to $1,000
In Bonus Bets
  • Bet and Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets
  • Earn FanCash & Spend it on New Team Swag or More Bets
  • 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
  • To Claim: Click Play Now

Legal gambling options in Iowa

Online Sports Betting

Each of the 19 state-licensed casinos in Iowa can have up to three sportsbook partnerships. Major sportsbooks operators, including Betfred, Casesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, BetMGM and Betway operate retail and online sports betting apps in Iowa.

There are 19 legal online sportsbooks in Iowa, all regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. More are coming soon and we’ll let you know.

You can bet on all the major league sports and college games in Iowa. Betting options include single-game bets, parlays, in-game and cash-out betting.

Iowa Lottery

The Iowa Lottery includes several draws, including Lucky for Life, Pick 3 and Pick 4 games. The biggest prizes are available via multi-state draws, including the Powerball, Mega Millions and Lotto America.

The IA Lottery raises money to assist veterans and their families, the environment, infrastructure and community projects. It’s been running since 1985 and includes a website portal in addition to retail kiosks.

Retail Sports Betting

Retail sportsbooks are operating at all of the Iowa casinos.

Many use the expertise and branding of major operators, such as Caesars, BetMGM and Barstool.

While some casinos only have kiosks to place sports bets, most have retail sportsbooks with large HD TVs for watching sporting events. Staff will be on hand to take you through sports betting details. Be sure to enjoy your favorite beverage and appetizer while there.

Daily Fantasy Sports

With daily fantasy sports contests legal alongside sports betting, picks contests are live in Iowa.

Major brands, including DraftKings and FanDuel, offer DFS contests. Unlike sports betting, you are not betting on individual games. Instead, DFS contests involve picking line-ups of players, which compete against other people’s picks in tournaments or head-to-head contests.

Retail and Online Casinos

Iowa has 19 regulated casinos that offer slots, table games and some host poker games.

While there are no state-regulated online casinos in Iowa, there are options under sweepstakes rules.

Popular sites, including LuckyLand Slots and Chumba Casino, operate nationally, using a virtual currency called Sweeps Cash. You can enjoy slots (some with progressive jackpots), plus limited table games and keno options. Sweeps Coins are available for free.

Iowa Poker

If you want to play poker in Iowa, the following casinos have poker rooms:

  • Catfish Bend
  • Diamond Jo Worth
  • Grand Falls
  • Hard Rock
  • Horseshoe
  • Prairie Meadows
  • Q
  • Riverside

Iowa has not introduced an online poker bill; however, you can play online poker legally at a sweepstakes-style site. Global Poker uses sweepstakes gambling laws.

Iowa gambling and the law

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the sports betting bill SF 617 into law in May 2019.

It set out a licensing framework for both retail and online sports betting in Iowa. Each of Iowa’s 19 casinos can apply for three online sportsbook licenses. The low taxation on gambling revenue ensures that there will be plenty of competition in the Hawkeye State.

To gamble legally in Iowa, you need to be at least 21 years or older. You don’t need to be a permanent resident, though you must be present within state lines to bet.

Here are some key details from SF 617:

  • Each Iowa casino can apply for one retail and three online sportsbook licenses.
  • The license fee is $45,000.
  • Revenue is taxed at 6.75%.
  • Betting on Iowa collegiate sports teams is allowed.
  • Prop betting on college athletes is not allowed.
  • Daily fantasy sports are regulated alongside sports betting.

Iowa online gambling FAQ

Yes, bill SF 617 licensed online sports betting in May 2019. William Hill was the first sportsbook operator to launch, which now operates as Caesars Sportsbook. You can legally bet on pro sports, college sports and a range of international fixtures in Iowa.

Furthermore, you must be 21 years or older and within the state lines to place sports bets in Iowa. Online sportsbooks use geolocation technology to ensure wagering occurs legally.

As of Jan. 1, 2021, online sports betting registration became legal in Iowa.

In Iowa, you can bet on major pro leagues, individual sports and college action; however, you can’t make prop bets on collegiate athletes.

You can wager on NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB games, including soccer, boxing, MMA, golf, tennis, rugbycricket even Sumo wrestling. Depending on which sportsbook app you choose, there will also be a long list of niche and international sports from which to choose.

Off-the-field bets like Heisman Trophy wagers, pro draft pick bets and MVP awards are now on the books as of July 1, 2022.

No, you don’t need to be an Iowa resident to register for an online sports betting account. It isn’t possible to place sports wagers at an online Iowa sportsbooks from outside state lines.

Betting apps give you access to the range of single and multiple bets and entertaining side bets (props). There are also innovative types available, including in-play and cash-out bets.

Here is the list of the popular bet types:

  • Futures
  • Moneylines
  • Parlays
  • Period betting
  • Proposition bets
  • Round robins
  • Spreads
  • Teasers (alternative spreads)
  • Totals (over/unders)

Note, there are many more wagering options that are sports-specific.

When you deposit at regulated sportsbooks, you’ll have access to several deposit methods. Options include debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets and cash options (via the casino cage or retail stores).

Many online sports betting brands offer prepaid debit cards that you can use for deposits and withdrawals.

No, offshore sites are risky. With regulated sites in Iowa, you won’t be putting your bankroll in jeopardy. Licensed sites offer protection for your money and a way to deliver complaints (via the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission).

By contrast, the offshore sites don’t offer oversight and are based on the Caribbean Islands. If you have a dispute, or if the site shuts down and takes your bankroll with it, you have zero recourse. It is best to avoid these offshore sites.

There are legal online casino games options, though these are national sites and not part of bill SF 617.

Sweepstakes casinos operate in 49 states using sweepstakes laws. Essentially, every spin or hand is a mini sweepstakes contest. You play using the virtual currency called Sweeps Cash, which you can exchange into dollars and withdraw if you win.

To stay legal, casinos such as LuckyLand Slots can’t sell you Sweeps Cash directly. Instead, you get this for free by buying Gold Coins, entering social media contests or sending a letter to a registered address.

Resources

Several sportsbooks are licensed for online betting in Iowa, which gives you a choice of bonuses and promotions. You can find out more about these on our sportsbook bonuses page.

Once you read our sportsbook reviews and have chosen a brand (or two), the next step is to decide how to access the betting site. You can download the sportsbook’s app or use your web browser:

  • Android Phones/Tablets: You can find some sports betting apps in the Google Play Store and also from the sportsbook’s website. This method is safe despite needing to click through warnings that the app is from an “unknown source.”
  • Apple iPhones/iPads: Sports betting operators in Iowa will have apps in the Apple App Store. You can also follow a link from the websites.
  • Website Version: The browser-based sportsbooks are the only option for desktop computers and laptops. You can also access web-based sportsbooks from your phone. All the sites use responsive design, so they automatically adjust to your screen size.

Depositing using cash at the casino cage is one of many ways to fund your sports betting account. The biggest advantage of regulated gambling sites in Iowa is you can deposit securely; however, Iowa law states you cannot deposit using your credit card. Here are the mainstream banking options:

  • ACH/e-check
  • Bank wire
  • Bill pay
  • Branded prepaid debit card
  • Cash at the cage
  • Cashier’s check
  • Debit cards
  • E-wallets: PayPal, Skrill or Neteller
  • Money order
  • PayNearMe at 7-Eleven stores

When you choose a legal, regulated site, your money will be safe. While this is the main reason to choose Iowa betting sites, you’ll also find a better experience.

It starts with the brands. Names like Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel have years of experience in sports betting. Their technology is simple to use. With a depth of betting markets and bet types unrivaled offshore, you’ll have much more choice.

When it comes to depositing and withdrawing, the choice of a regulated site over an offshore one becomes a no-brainer. Instead diving into the world of cryptocurrency or expensive gift card purchases, you can use regular payment options. With bank cards, cash and simple electronic transfers all available, you’ll be sure your deposits and withdrawals are fast and safe.

Finally, offshore sites have no oversight. In the past, gambling operators have disappeared, taking the entire bankroll of thousands of players. With regulated Iowa sites, your money is safe. In the event of a dispute, you can complain to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

You’ll find a number of sportsbooks around the state at riverboat and land-based casinos. Many of these include major betting brands, like Casesars or FanDuel. This list includes Iowa casinos and their online sportsbook operators:

  • Ameristar Casino, Council Bluffs: Barstool Sportsbook
  • Casino Queen, Marquette: bet365 Sportsbook
  • Catfish Bend Casino, Burlington: PointsBet Sportsbook, 
  • Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque: FanDuel Sportsbook and Betway Sportsbook
  • Diamond Jo Casino Worth: BetMGM Sportsbook
  • Grand Falls Casino, Larchwood: Betfred Sportsbook and Bally Bet Sportsbook
  • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sioux City: Hard Rock Sportsbook
  • Harrah’s, Council Bluffs: Caesars Sportsbook
  • Horseshoe Casino, Council Bluffs: Caesars Sportsbook 
  • Isle of Capri Casino, Bettendorf: Tipico Sportsbook
  • Isle Casino Waterloo: Caesars Sportsbook and Superbook Sportsbook
  • Lakeside Hotel Casino, Osceola: DRF Sportsbook
  • Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Altoona: Caesars Sportsbook
  • Q Casino, Dubuque: Q Sportsbook
  • Rhythm City Casino, Davenport: Elite Sportsbook
  • Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Riverside: Elite Sportsbook 
  • Wild Rose Casino Jefferson: DraftKings, BetRivers, and Circa sportsbooks
  • Wild Rose Casino Emmetsburg: DraftKings Sportsbook
  • Wild Rose Casino Clinton: DraftKings Sportsbook and BetRivers Sportsbook

Protection and assistance for people who develop issues with gambling are baked into Iowa’s gaming laws. Responsible gambling awareness, links to support organizations and tools to manage time and spending limits are available online.

You will find that all reputable gambling brands take responsible gaming seriously. Many have detailed resource pages and a range of tools available. Here is what to expect:

  • Information about problem gambling and examples of self-assessment questions.
  • Links and phone numbers for local and national help organizations, including the National Council on Problem Gambling.
  • The ability to set limits for bet sizes, deposit amounts and total wagered during a set time period. This can prevent bettors from “chasing losses.”
  • The ability to set up time-out periods for short or longer periods. Gamblers can also self-exclude permanently.