Iowa Gambling News

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, rugby, cricket 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.

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: theScore Bet Sportsbook, Barstool Sportsbook
• Casino Queen, Marquette: Fubo Sportsbook
• Catfish Bend Casino, Burlington: PointsBet Sportsbook, (pending agreement with SI Sportsbook)
• Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque: FanDuel Sportsbook and Betway Sportsbook
• Diamond Jo Casino Northwood: FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM sportsbooks
• Grand Falls Casino, Larchwood: Betfred Sports, Bally Bet and Elite Sportsbook
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sioux City: Hard Rock Sportsbook
• Harrah’s, Council Bluffs: Caesars Sportsbook and Unibet Sportsbook
• Horseshoe Casino, Council Bluffs: Caesars Sportsbook (pending agreement with PlayUp Sportsbook)
• Isle Casino, Bettendorf: Caesars Sportsbook (pending agreement with Tipico Sportsbook)
• Isle Casino Waterloo: Caesars Sportsbook, (pending agreement with Fox Bet Sportsbook)
• Lakeside Hotel Casino, Osceola: Caesars Sportsbook and DRF Sportsbook
• Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Altoona: Caesars Sportsbook
• Q Casino, Dubuque: Q Sportsbook
• Rhythm City Casino, Davenport: Elite Sportsbook and Bally Bet (pending agreement with WynnBET sportsbook)
• Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Riverside: Elite Sportsbook and Bally Bet
• 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.