Iowa has experienced steady growth since legalizing sports betting in May 2019. In addition, the state received a significant boost in gambling action with its recent move to a fully online registration process.
Its sports betting handle has steadily increased month over month — the Hawkeye State boasts 11 online sportsbooks and 18 retail locations — climbing the ranks of U.S. states with legalized sports betting.
Read on to learn more about Iowa's legal sports betting scene.
Population: 3.2 million
Legal age for sports betting: 21
Online sports betting: Yes
Retail sportsbooks: Yes
Sports betting revenue: $575 million
Yes, sports betting in Iowa is legal. Iowa’s efforts to regulate sports betting pre-dated the Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) disposal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992.
Adults 21 and over are permitted to place a sports bet in Iowa. Wagers can be placed on a legal sports betting website, a mobile app, or at one of Iowa’s 18 retail sportsbooks.
The following tips will help you get started with legal sports betting in Iowa.
Legal ageIf you are 21 or older, you are allowed to bet on sports in Iowa.
Mobile bettingPlace your Iowa sports bets using a computer or mobile device to access an online sportsbook or sportsbook app. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates all sports betting activity in the Hawkeye State.
Remote registrationRemote registration has been available in Iowa since January 2021. This option allows Iowans to complete the entire sign-up process remotely with a computer or mobile phone. Previously, Iowa gamblers were required to visit a casino to complete their registration.
Within state bordersLegal online sportsbooks use geofencing to ensure all players are physically present in Iowa. Attempts to place bets from out of state will be denied. Therefore, it’s essential for Iowans and those passing through the state to turn on location services when placing online bets.
Retail sportsbooksIowa is home to 18 retail sportsbooks found at one of the state’s 19 licensed casinos.
Taxable winningsLike nearly all other states, gambling winnings are taxable at both the federal and state levels in Iowa.
Iowans must report all winnings on federal tax returns, as this money is subject to the standard 24% tax. Winnings that exceed $600 must be reported to the state and taxed at 5%.
Our experts have identified sports betting sites that offer in-demand features, attractive bonuses, and highlighted the sports and bet types available to Iowa residents. Each independent sportsbook review includes relevant information needed to ensure that you're wagering at safe and legitimate betting sites.
BetRivers has some of the best, and least restrictive bonus offers available for online betting, enforcing only a one-time playthrough requirement. The operator features one of the top rewards programs in the U.S., too. Its 10-tier iRush loyalty program gives you points for each wager placed, allowing you to buy bonus cash, odds boosts, and more.
The U.S. owned and operated Elite Sportsbook was the second operator to go online in Iowa. Its mobile apps are available for iOS and Android devices. Once registered, you can claim an enticing welcome bonus and special promotions to help new players get up and running.
The well-established and Caesars Entertainment-owned William Hill sportsbook was the first betting app to go live in Iowa. Its lucrative bonuses and often favorable odds are a result of its in-house oddsmakers.
A major shift in Iowa sports betting took place when remote registration was introduced in 2021. Iowans can now place their first sports bets without leaving their homes.
Like many other states, Iowa does not allow college player proposition betting. Iowa has also yet to legalize action on the NFL draft.
Placing a sports bet in the Hawkeye state has never been easier. Now, Iowans can partake in a complete remote registration process.
Casinos are also an option for those who prefer the atmosphere a retail sportsbook provides.
There are many sportsbooks to choose from in Iowa, making research an integral part of the process. Conduct research to identify the options that provide the best sign-up bonuses, lines, and customer support.
Check out some bettor reviews, furnished here by our experts, and take a look at the terms and conditions of the sportsbooks you’re considering before getting started.
Once you’ve picked out the sportsbook that you trust to satisfy your sports betting needs, go ahead and fill in your information on their website or mobile app. Be prepared to provide the last four digits of your SSN.
The amount of competition in Iowa certainly has its benefits for Iowa sports gamblers as sportsbooks routinely offer some excellent promotions to entice bettors to try out their platforms.
Common bonuses in Iowa include:
Iowa sports bettors have access to nearly every type of bet imaginable. Betting options are plentiful and these are the most common bet types:
Betting the moneyline is favored by new sports bettors because you're simply choosing which side will win.
With Over/Unders (totals), you must decide whether the combined score will match the projected total number set by oddsmakers.
The point spread is considered an equalizer for sports bettors, who use this number to compare teams. Oddsmakers apply spread betting to level the playing field since the skill level of teams differs.
Iowa sportsbooks give players a number of options when it comes to adding funds to an account. Keep a watchful eye on transaction fees, however, as these can vary depending on your chosen payment method.
Common payment options in Iowa include debit/credit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and prepaid cards. Cash can also be used when visiting a casino.
Take a look at how different sportsbooks’ betting lines stack up against one another, prior to placing your first bet. Glancing over a few different options will ensure you’re not squandering an opportunity to place a more favorable wager.
Iowa sports bettors can withdraw funds from their accounts in a variety of ways. Remember, bank and transaction fees vary here as well, so check to see which method gives you the most bang for your buck.
Odds explainedAmerican Odds — aka moneyline odds — are used by Iowa sportsbooks to display favorites and underdogs . A minus sign (-) is listed next to the favorite. The number found next to the minus sign specifies the amount players need to wager to be awarded $100 in profit. For example, -155 odds indicate a bet of $155 needs to be placed in order to take home $100 in profit.
Underdogs are accompanied by a plus (+) sign. The number that follows the plus sign represents the amount of profit that would be realized if a player placed a $100 bet. For example, +170 odds tell us that a winning $100 bet would result in a player profiting $170.
Odds are commonly viewed in decimals and fractions as well. Use our odds converter to quickly cycle between American, Decimal, and Fractional odds.
Iowa saw a major boost in sports betting following the implementation of full remote registration. After modest earnings in 2020, the state’s monthly handle ballooned to $149.5M in January 2021 — a 42% increase over December’s total.
Iowa surpassed the $1 billion mark in total sports bets early in 2021 and is on pace to double that number in the coming months. Iowa’s sportsbooks have posted the following numbers to date:
|
Year |
Total handle |
Revenue |
Hold percentage |
Tax revenue |
|
2019 |
$212M |
$19M |
9% |
$1.3M |
|
2020 |
$575M |
$41.6M |
7.2% |
$2.8M |
|
Month |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
January |
$149.5M |
$58M |
N/A |
|
February |
$143.6M |
$56.9M |
N/A |
|
March |
$161.4M |
$19.5M |
N/A |
|
April |
$118.3M |
$1.5M |
N/A |
|
May |
$114.8M |
$6.9M |
N/A |
|
June |
$111.2M |
$12.7M |
N/A |
|
July |
- |
$22.8M |
N/A |
|
August |
- |
$50.3M |
$8.7M |
|
September |
- |
$72.3M |
$38.5M |
|
October |
- |
$81.9M |
$46.5M |
|
November |
- |
$87.1M |
$59.3M |
|
December |
- |
$104.8M |
$59.2M |
|
Total |
$798M |
$575M |
$212M |
While Iowans are able to place a wager on nearly any sporting event — locally and internationally — there are a few no-gos in the Hawkeye State.
PoliticsIowa law forbids political betting of any kind. Discussing Iowa caucus betting odds around the water-cooler is fine, but that’s as far as you can take things.
NFL DraftThe NFL Draft is the league's signature offseason event, but Iowa is one of a handful of U.S. states to outlaw NFL Draft wagering.
EsportsEsports betting has not yet been legalized in Iowa, though there does seem to be some momentum building here. Rep. Bobby Kaufmann has sponsored a bill that would regulate esports betting, along with pro sports drafts, and player awards.
Awards showsMuch-hyped celebrity and pop-culture events, such as the Academy Awards, are off-limits to Iowa bettors.
Iowa sports bettors may place wagers on any college team in the country. However, individual player prop bets involving in-state schools are not permitted.
Legal sportsbooks may be found online or at 18 of Iowa’s licensed casinos. Sports bettors need only a computer, mobile phone, and an internet connection to get started, but have the option of joining fellow sports fanatics at a physical sportsbook.
|
Online sportsbook operator |
Mobile app |
Odds provider |
Online casino |
Retail partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bally Bet |
Yes |
Bet.Works |
Yes |
3 locations: Grand Falls, Rhythm City, and Riverside Casino |
|
Yes |
LSports |
Yes |
Grand Falls |
|
|
Yes |
BetMGM |
Yes |
Diamond Jo Casino |
|
|
Yes |
IGT |
Yes |
Wild Rose |
|
|
Yes |
SBTech |
Yes |
Wild Rose |
|
|
Yes |
Bet.Works |
Yes |
3 locations: Grand Falls, Rhythm City, Riverside |
|
|
Yes |
Flutter |
Yes |
Diamond Jo Casino |
|
|
Yes |
GiG |
Yes |
Hard Rock Sioux City |
|
|
Yes |
SBTech |
Yes |
Catfish Bend |
|
|
Q Sportsbook |
Yes |
IGT |
Yes |
Q Casino |
|
Yes |
Bet.Works |
Yes |
Ameristar |
|
|
Yes |
William Hill |
Yes |
6 locations: Isle Bettendorf, Isle Waterloo, Lakeside, Prairie Meadows, Harrah's Council Bluff, Horseshoe |
|
Sportsbook |
Venue |
Address |
Phone number |
Odds provider |
|
Sportsbook Bar & Grill |
Grand Falls |
1415 Grand Falls Blvd., Larchwood, IA 51241 |
(712) 777-7777 |
LSports |
|
FanDuel Sportsbook |
Diamond Jo Casino |
777 Hollywood Blvd, Grantville, PA 17028 |
(201) 843-2446 |
Flutter |
|
William Hill Sportsbook |
Isle Casino Bettendrof |
1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA, 52722 |
(563) 441-7000 |
William Hill |
|
William Hill Sportsbook |
Horseshoe Casino |
2701 23rd Avenue Council Bluffs, IA 51501 |
(712) 323-2500 |
William Hill |
|
William Hill Sportsbook |
Isle Casino Waterloo |
777 Isle of Capri Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50701 |
(877) 475-3946 |
William Hill |
|
William Hill Sportsbook |
Lakeside |
777 Casino Drive, Osceola, IA 50213 |
(641) 342-9511 |
William Hill |
|
Draft Day Sports Lounge |
Rhythm City |
7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807 |
(563) 328-8000 |
Bet.Works |
|
Draft Day Sports Lounge |
Riverside Casino |
3184 Hwy 22, Riverside, IA 52327 |
(319) 648-1234 |
Bet.Works |
|
Q Sportsbook |
Q Casino |
1855 Greyhound Park Rd., Dubuque, IA 52001 |
(563) 582-3647 |
IGT |
|
Hard Rock Sportsbook |
Hard Rock Sioux City |
111 3rd Street, Sioux City, IA 51101 |
(712) 226-7600 |
GiG |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Catfish Bend | 3001 Winegard Dr., Burlington, IA 52601 | (319) 753-2946 | SBTech |
Whether they’ve grown up on Vikings football or reveled in the triumphs of the 2016 World Series-winning Cubs, there is no questioning Iowans’ fandom and allegiances to their favorite clubs.
Cheering on your team is one thing, but placing a bet is an entirely different story. Always be sure to remain objective when placing sports bets as these allegiances can quickly cloud your judgment. Read through our how to bet guides for an overview of betting terms and scenarios.
SCOTUS, and its decision to overturn the federal ban on single-game wagering, set the stage for Gov. Kim Reynolds to sign Bill SF-617 into law in May of 2019.
Review this timeline of Iowa's sports gambling history:
Iowa is home to 19 licensed casinos and four tribal casinos. Two of the state’s casinos offer live racing.
CasinoEach of Iowa’s commercial, riverboat, and tribal casinos offers players the full range of table games, slots, and more.
Online casinos are illegal in Iowa, as they were not included in Bill SF-617. National brands Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots offer a limited number of casino games and use “sweeps coins” to remain legally compliant in Iowa.
PokerWith 421 tables in the state, there’s no shortage of poker action in Iowa.
For those looking for an online alternative, Global Poker’s sweepstakes model remains the only option. Iowa has yet to make any progress on an online poker bill.
Horse racingLive and simulcast horse racing can be found at Iowa’s lone horse racing site — Prairie Meadows. A number of off-track betting sites can be found throughout the state as well. Pari-mutuel bets can be placed online in Iowa with TVG and TwinSpires.
Iowa is also home to one greyhound racetrack — Iowa Greyhound Park.
Daily Fantasy SportsDaily Fantasy Sports (DFS) has been a popular option in Iowa since the state passed its sports betting law in May 2019. DraftKings, the first operator to enter the market, was joined by fellow industry titan FanDuel soon after.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has taken preventative measures to ensure programs and resources are available for individuals who feel as if their gambling activity is getting out of hand. Helplines, treatment centres, and self-exclusion lists have all been established to curb the effects of problem gambling in Iowa.
Fifteen of Iowa’s 19 licensed casinos now offer self-exclusion programs. Not all online sportsbooks offer these programs, but sites do provide players with a number of options to manage their betting activity. These tools include deposit and betting limits, timeouts, and self-assessments.
Legal online sportsbooks also allow users to place a wide range of restrictions on themselves. Players can set deposit and betting limits or permanently join the self-exclusion list.
Iowa mobilized on legalizing sports gambling following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the federal ban on sports gambling. Outside of Iowa, these states have all introduced sports betting laws: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Bettors should also steer clear of unregulated offshore betting sites. These blacklisted sites are not authorized to take your bets, and you’ll have no legal recourse if your funds disappear from an offshore account.
You can make a sports bet using an online sportsbook or by visiting an Iowa casino.
Yes, Iowa offers legal sports betting for adults 21 and older.
Yes, Iowans are free to place bets on any in-state teams with the exception of prop bets on college players.
You do not have to reside in Iowa to place an online bet. As long as you have both feet on the ground in the Hawkeye State you’ll be able to bet online.
Iowa reported gross revenue of over $41M in 2020.
To place a sports bet in Iowa, you can visit an online sportsbook or download an app. Physical wagers can be placed at any of Iowa’s 18 retail sportsbooks.
Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Davenport, and Dubuque.
Yes, DraftKings joined the Iowa sports betting market in February 2020. The industry giant can be found at three Wild Rose Casino locations in the state.
