Iowa Online Casinos
Online casinos in Iowa remain illegal. And there’s no sign that will change in the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, there are options for Iowa online casino fans – via sweepstakes and social casino sites. These sites have slots and (limited) casino games. Best of all, you can win cash prizes without paying a dime of your own money.
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Iowa Casino News
List of Iowa Casinos, Map and Gaming Options
As the push for IA online casinos remains on hold, there are retail casinos in the state. There are 19 in fact. And compared with many states, Iowa has a broad selection of live casinos — some are moored riverboat casinos with big hotel and leisure complexes built around them. Land-based venues with restaurants, lodging and amenities are more common now. Prairie Meadows will soon be the only casino featuring a racetrack.
Below is an overview of all the casinos in Iowa, along with location and facilities (including Iowa sportsbooks):
Ameristar Casino
- Address: 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Hours: 24/7
- Games: Slots, table games, sportsbook
Located in Council Bluffs, Ameristar attracts players from Nebraska and Iowa. This casino opened in 1996, and after several changes in ownership, it is now owned and operated by Penn National Gaming. This riverboat venue has 1,500 slots and table games, a sportsbook and a 160-room hotel.
Casino Queen Marquette
- Address: 100 Anti Monopoly, Marquette, IA 52158
- Hours: 9 a.m.-2 a.m. daily
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, video poker, sportsbook
This riverboat casino is smaller than many Iowa venues, with eight table games and 500 slots. This casino is in Marquette, IA, along the Mississippi River across from Wisconsin. CQ Holdings owns it.
Catfish Bend Casino
- Address: 3001 Winegard Drive, Burlington, IA 52601
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
This casino is based in Burlington and is now part of an entertainment complex called PZAZZ! It started as a riverboat venue in 1994, before moving to land in 2007. There are more than 600 slots, plus 25 table games, a sportsbook and plenty of entertainment and dining options.
Diamond Jo Casino
- Address: 7301 Bell St., Dubuque, IA 52001
- Hours: 8 a.m.-3 a.m. daily
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, sportsbook
Based in the Port of Dubuque, national operator Boyd Gaming owns this casino. Originally a cruising riverboat casino, it became land-based in 2008. There are more than 775 slots, 16 table games and a sportsbook. There are multiple entertainment options available, including a bowling center, theaters, bars and dining options.
Diamond Jo Casino Worth
- Address: 777 Diamond Jo Lane, Northwood, IA 50459
- Hours: 8 a.m.- 3 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 24 hours Fridays and Saturdays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
Boyd Gaming also owns Iowa’s second Diamond Jo Casino, in Worth County, near Northwood, Iowa. The venue caters to outdoor sports, hunting and golf. There are almost 1,000 slots and 22 table games, in addition to a sportsbook.
Grand Falls Casino
- Address: 1415 Grand Falls Blvd., Larchwood, IA 51241
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
Grand Falls Casino is near Sioux Falls, in Larchwood. Elite Casino Resorts owns Grand Falls. You’ll find a poker room, sportsbook, table games and 750 slots here. There is also an event center and a golf course.
Hard Rock Casino
- Address: 111 Third St., Sioux City, IA 51101
- Hours: 7 a.m.-4 a.m. Mondays-Fridays, 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and selected holidays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, sportsbook
Located in Sioux City, the Hard Rock is a more recent arrival on the Iowa casino scene than many rivals, opening in 2004. There is a small hotel, entertainment complex, including three restaurants and a sportsbook. You’ll find 850 slots and 25 table games at this casino.
Harrah’s Casino
- Address: 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, sportsbook
This Caesars Entertainment property is in Council Bluffs and the Ameristar and Horseshoe casinos. It offers a golf course, entertainment complex and 250+ room hotel. This casino was a riverboat until 2013, when it became land-based. There are more than 500 slots, table games and a sportsbook here.
Horseshoe Casino
- Address: 2701 23rd Ave., Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
The second Caesars Entertainment property is the bigger of the two. This Council Bluffs-based venue has approximately 1,500 slots and table games, along with a William Hill-themed sportsbook. It is on a former greyhound racing track; racing ended in 2015. The venue offers simulcast horseracing and pari-mutuel betting.
Lakeside Hotel Casino
- Address: 777 Casino Drive, Osceola, IA 50213
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
Located within easy reach of Des Moines, Lakeside is in an area of natural beauty popular for summer vacations. You’ll find an RV park at this Osceola-based venue. There is also a hotel, entertainment complex and many table games, slots and a sportsbook.
Isle Casino Bettendorf
- Address: 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA 52722
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
One of two Isle casinos is close to the Quad Cities. It has a history stretching back to 1995. Like many Iowa casinos, Isle Casino Bettendorf started as a riverboat and moved to land in 2016. In addition to a sportsbook, there are 935 slots and table games here, plus a 514-room hotel.
Isle Casino Waterloo
- Address: 777 Isle of Capri Blvd., Waterloo, IA 50701
- Hours: 8 a.m.-3 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-6 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, sportsbook
Eldorado Resorts owned this “isle” and merged with Caesars Entertainment. It is a relatively recent addition to the Iowa casino scene, opening in 2007. There is a Caesars Sportsbook at the site. You will also find more than 1,000 slots and 25 table games; furthermore, restaurant and hotel facilities complete the resort.
Prairie Meadows Casino
- Address: 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA 50009
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook, quarter horse racing
This venue is best-known as Iowa’s thoroughbred racetrack located in Altoona. The track opened in 1984, with the addition of slots and table games in 2004. Today, this big venue includes simulcast betting, sports betting, slots, table games, and poker. Racing takes place from April to October.
Q Casino
- Address: 1855 Greyhound Park Road, Dubuque, IA 52001
- Hours: 7 a.m.-3 a.m. daily
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker and sportsbook.
Based in Dubuque, along with the Diamond Jo Casino, the Q features a thousand slots and numerous table games, in addition to four restaurants. The nearby Iowa Greyhound Park is closed and live greyhound bets are no longer a betting option in Iowa.
Rhythm City Casino
- Address: 7077 Elmore Ave., Davenport, IA 52807
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, sportsbook
This casino was one of the original riverboat operators when Iowa gambling began in 1991. It was then known as The President. Located in Davenport, this casino moved to dry land in 2016. The most recent addition was a sportsbook in 2019. It offers thousands of slots, 25 table games, four restaurants, a hotel and an event center.
Riverside Casino
- Address: 3184 Hwy. 22, Riverside, IA 52327
- Hours: 24/7
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, poker, sportsbook
Elite Gaming owns Riverside Casino, which is within an easy drive of Iowa City in Riverside. You’ll find more than a thousand games at this venue. There is also a poker room and a new sportsbook. A golf course, entertainment venues, bars, restaurants, and a hotel complete the resort.
Wild Rose Clinton
- Address: 777 Wild Rose Drive, Clinton, IA 52732
- Hours: 8 a.m.-12 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, off-track betting, sportsbook
Wild Rose Emmetsburg
- Address: 777 Main St., Emmetsburg, IA 50536
- Hours: 10 a.m.-midnight Sundays to Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, off-track betting, sportsbook
Wild Rose Jefferson
- Address: 777 Wild Rose Drive, Jefferson, IA 50129
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Gaming Options: Slots, table games, off-track betting, sportsbook
Wild Rose casinos in Clinton, Emmetsburg and Jefferson are locally owned, with the Wild Rose headquarters in West Des Moines. Furthermore, all three casinos have slots, table games and a new retail sportsbook. They also provide hotel, dining and entertainment options to enjoy.
Tribal Casinos in Iowa
In addition to this long list of land-based, racetrack and riverboat casinos, Iowa has four tribal casino venues.
Blackbird Bend Casino
- Address: 17214 210th St., Onawa, IA 51040
- Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Sundays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Games: Slots, table games, bingo, poker
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel
- Address: 1504 305th St., Tama, IA 52339
- Hours: 8 a.m.-12 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 24/7 Fridays and Saturdays
- Games: Slots, table games, bingo, poker
Prairie Flower Casino
- Address: 1031 Avenue H, Carter Lake, IA 51510
- Hours: 24/7
- Games: Slots
WinnaVegas Casino Resort
- Address: 1500 330th St., Sloan, IA 51055
- Hours: 24/7
- Games: Slots, table games, bingo, poker
Casino Destinations in Iowa
Iowa casinos with hotels
Most of the casinos in Iowa have hotels nearby or connected to the casino property. This lodging isn’t your run-of-the-mill hotel room. You can expect quality rooms with large, luxurious beds, a fitness center, swimming pools, a spa and restaurants. Here is a list of Iowa casinos with hotels.
In NE Iowa:
- Isle Waterloo: 168 rooms
- Q in Dubuque: 116 rooms
In NW Iowa:
- Grand Falls near Sioux Falls: 160 rooms
- Hard Rock Sioux City: 54 rooms
- Wild Rose in Emmetsburg: 70 rooms
- WinnaVegas near Sloan: 78 rooms
In SE Iowa:
- Catfish Bend in Burlington: 40 rooms
- Isle Bettendorf: 514 rooms
- Rhythm City in Davenport: 106 rooms
- Riverside near Iowa City: 201 rooms
- Wild Rose in Clinton: 66 rooms
In SW Iowa:
- Ameristar in Council Bluffs: 160 rooms
- Harrah’s Council Bluffs: 251 rooms
- Horseshoe Council Bluffs: 153 rooms
- Lakeside in Osceola: 150 rooms
Central Iowa:
- Meskwaki near Des Moines: 404 rooms
- Prairie Meadows near Des Moines: 168 rooms
- Wild Rose in Jefferson: 74 rooms
Iowa Casinos and the Law
When the first riverboat casinos in Iowa opened in 1991, they had to be in motion. Licenses for four boats, the Dubuque Casino Belle, Emerald Lady, Diamond Lady and The President, were required to sail on their respective rivers during the season.
Each license would also require a local referendum. Before this, there was only pari-mutuel betting on greyhounds and horses, a lottery and limited charity gambling. Over the next few years, tribal casinos and additional riverboats came to be.
It was a 2004 amendment that saw the need for the riverboat casinos to be removed from the statutes. At this point, the rules for racetrack casinos and the (now moored) boats were equalized.
Nearly two decades later, the most significant change to Iowa gambling laws in recent history took place with the passing of bill SF 617. This bill allows for sports betting — live and online.
Another set of changes will usher in cashless wagers (using eWallets) at Iowa’s 19 casinos and pause the arrival of a 20th casino in Cedar Rapids for at least two years. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 2497, which passed during the 2022 Iowa Legislative Session.
Responsible Gaming at IA Casinos
The Iowa Gaming Association takes problem gambling seriously and offers a state-wide self-exclusion program. The program allows anyone to voluntarily join a list that will stop them from entering any of the land-based or riverboat casinos. The tribal casinos are not part of this scheme.
Also, there is an assistance hotline in Iowa. Dial 1-800-BETS-OFF, and you’ll reach someone who is trained to assist you. You can also visit online resources at www.yourlifeiowa.org. There are treatment programs and licensed treatment providers available via these state resources. Identifying problem gambling is not always easy; you’ll be able to find self-assessment questionnaires online to highlight any issues.
Legal Online Casinos in Iowa
Bill HF 2497 does not include the provision for online casinos. As in many states, many people hope that the successful rollout of sports betting online will improve the chances of future legislation. As of now, the industry seems skeptical about an Iowa online casino option in the upcoming 2023 legislative session.
In the meantime, Iowans can legally enjoy casino slots and (limited) table games via sweepstakes casinos. These operators work countrywide using rules usually employed by companies for contests. The most prominent brands are Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, but there are many options, including smaller and newer sites, like Zula Casino and McLuck.
What Would a Regulated Market Look Like in Iowa?
By looking at New Jersey, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, we can see what a future regulated online casino market might look like in Iowa.
With no licenses made available in bill HF 2497, this would require an extension to the current laws.
Casinos in NJ and PA are significant sources of revenue for these states. Combining with a successful launch of online sports betting, it could trigger amended legalization in the future.
As with the sportsbooks, brick-and-mortar casinos in other states have partnered with established providers of casino games. These include major brands like 888, IGT and GAN.
Some casinos are branded around live casinos, too. Examples include SugarHouse (from Rush Street Interactive) and Golden Nugget online in New Jersey.
If online casinos were allowed in Iowa, BetMGM Casino and BetRivers Online Casino would likely be among the first to apply for their licenses.
In addition to the regular slots and table games, regulated online casinos feature new games, including the popular live dealer table games at selected brands.
Sweepstakes Casinos as an Alternative
Most states have sweepstakes laws on their books. These allow companies to give away prizes for (usually free to enter or with purchase) contests.
LuckyLand and Chumba have adopted these laws to offer casino games using a virtual currency called “Sweeps Coins.”
You can get free Sweeps Coins in several ways, including mail-in offers and social media contests. You can also get free Sweeps as a “gift” when you buy “Gold Coins” (which are for fun play only). If you win with Sweeps Coins, you can legally swap it for dollars and cash it out to your bank account.
Essentially, every time you play, you’ll be entering a super-short sweepstakes contest. While you are playing the games, they don’t feel any different from slots or table games.
Get sweeps cash: Free and with purchase
You can check out sweepstakes casinos for free by getting free Sweeps Coins. You can use this to enjoy the games and, who knows, maybe win a jackpot.
Chumba Casino gives Iowa gamblers 2 in Sweeps Coins solely for registering.
You can also get free Sweeps Coins by sending a letter to a registered address with your account details. Contests and sharing on social media also give you an avenue for getting Sweeps Coins for free.
A faster way to get started is to buy some “Gold Coins,” which are for entertainment only. The sweepstakes casinos will give you free Sweeps Coins when you buy Gold Coins that you can get with your credit card. LuckyLand Slots will supply you with double Sweeps Coins on your first purchase.
Remember, both brands are completely legal and US-based. They state that the chances of sweepstakes contest laws changing are minimal. If any state did change the regulations, there would need to be plenty of notice, as companies running draws and giveaway marketing contests would need to be involved in the discussions.
Types of Online Casino Games
Here are the types of games that you may find at future online casinos if regulation in Iowa allows:
- Slots: Many software houses produce slot games; some are the same ones create live casino slots and others are online specialists. You’ll have thousands of online slots to choose from that range from three to five reels. Many have entertaining and interactive bonus features, jackpots and more.
- Table Games: You can find popular games, like blackjack and roulette, at online casinos. With no dealer to pay, there are plenty of variations of each. Some come with entertaining side bets, others with novel gameplay. Other popular table games include craps, poker-themed games, pai gow and more.
- Live Dealer Table Games: Instead of player vs. software games, new online casinos let you play games dealt in real-time from studios. These games feel like you are sitting at the table in a real casino and have a social element to them. Games include roulette, blackjack, baccarat, casino Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
- Video Poker: You don’t need to sit at a bar to find video poker variations like Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better or Bonus Poker online. Look out for multi-hand games and other entertaining varieties.
- Bingo and Keno: Both games can come with a lot of fun themes, entertaining variations and (sometimes) big jackpots.
- Novelty Games: There are games in online casinos that don’t fall neatly into any of these categories. Virtual betting games on horses, soccer or auto racing are examples. There are also scratch-card games and others with TV game show themes.