IA Sports Betting
Welcome to Iowa, the 11th state to legalize sports betting officially. The Hawkeye State offers online sports betting and retail sportsbook locations in casinos and riverboat casinos.
Now that in-person registration is no longer required, IA sports bettors can quickly and conveniently register at the top IA sports betting sites with no fuss or muss.
Best Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Sports betting experts at PlayingLegal analyze and examine all the available IA online sportsbooks and then compile the top list. Strict criteria followed by analyzing welcome bonus offers mean that not every single IA online sports betting site makes the cut.
BetMGM Sports
- Must clear in 7 days
- Available for BetMGM Sports only
- Bet must be qualifying
- Bet must lose
- Free Live Streaming
- Crisp in-play betting
- Boosted parlays
- Easy Navigation
- Shortage of special market odds
- Slow customer support response
The BetMGM is not just vying to be the top online sportsbook in the nation. Sports bettors can also earn M Life Rewards. In turn, these rewards can be used at all the participating MGM Resorts for vacations and more. Finally, the BetMGM betting interface boasts one of the best and most user-intuitive betting experience.
William Hill Sports Book
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
William Hill initially launched in the UK over 87 years ago. Currently, the parent corporation, Caesars Entertainment, is expanding the William Hill online sportsbook across all US legalized sports betting states. Best of all, there is a fantastic welcome bonus offer along with an easy-to-use interface plus dedicated customer support.
DraftKings Sportsbook
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
DraftKings offers an easily accessible betting platform, and many featured boosted lines. Starting in daily fantasy sports, the online sportsbook now offers three locations in the Hawkeye State by partnering with Wild Rose Casinos.
IA Sports Betting Law
Gov. Kim Reynolds officially signed into law Senate File 617 (SF 617) on May 13, 2019, legalizing sports betting in Iowa. In fact, the Hawkeye State is one of the fastest states to legalize, implement and launch sports betting.
Officially, the first sports wager on Aug. 15, 2019, was accepted a little over three short months after the IA sports betting bill was signed. The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC) regulates all legal sports wagering activities in the state.
Here are the key takeaways to Iowa sports betting law:
- $45,000 license fee for any sportsbook operator
- Annual $10,000 renewal fee for sportsbooks
- 75% tax on house revenues (ties Nevada for lowest tax)
- In-person registration until Jan. 1, 2021, online registration for mobile sports betting is now available.
- Certain restrictions apply, such as no in-game prop bets for Iowa college teams.
Sports Available
In Iowa, you can bet on a variety of sports. Depending on the sports season, you may not see each sports-type listed on every IA online sportsbook.
| Available Sports to Bet in Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Rules | Baseball | Basketball |
| Boxing | Cricket | Cycling |
| Darts | Football | Golf |
| Hockey | MMA/UFC | Motor Racing |
| NASCAR | Rugby Union | Soccer |
| Table Tennis | Tennis | Wrestling |
Additionally, the IRGC may add more approved sports wagers as the Iowa market matures. For example, Professional Bull Riding (PBR) is now available to bet on in Iowa.
Currently, eSports are not available, nor are non-sporting events such as elections or Academy Awards. Finally, there are additional restrictions on Iowa sports betting outlined in the next section.
Restrictions
Definitely, there are certain restrictions regarding Iowa sports betting.
- No betting on Esports.
- Lines and odds are only offered on sporting events.
- No personnel such as players, officials, or coaches can place wagers on their own sports.
- No prop wagers are allowed on the NFL Draft.
- You cannot bet on subjective trophy awards like the Heisman or MVP.
- No in-game prop bets tied to Iowa college teams or players or teams competing against in-state college teams.
Geo-location
Ultimately, the IA online sportsbook's responsibility is to ensure that sports bettors are within the Hawkeye State’s borders. To this end, you need to allow your chosen online sports betting site to run a location check.
Notably, you do not need to be a resident of Iowa to place sports bets. You need to be physically located within the state while placing your sports wagers. Sports betting sites use geolocation technology to determine your location. Thus, you need to allow the online sportsbook to access your location while using any mobile betting app.
Minimum Legal Age Requirement
Make no mistake. In Iowa, the minimum legal age to place sports bets online or in-person at retail sportsbooks is 21. True, you can sign up online, but beware that any IRGC licensed sportsbook will require you to verify your age.
Typically, when a sportsbook verifies your identity and age, you will not be able to place any bets until you supply the requested information, such as a copy of your government-issued ID and even your Social Security number.
All IA Online Sportsbooks
In Iowa, there is quite a list of online sportsbooks available. With the bill passage of legalized sports betting, each casino can have up to three partnerships, either with already established sportsbooks, skins, or new online sportsbooks.
| Online Sportsbook | IA Partner | Software Provider | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sports | Diamond Jo Worth Casino | Entain, GVC Holdings | Jan. 2021 |
| William Hill Sports Book | Prairie Meadows Casino, Isle IA Casinos | Proprietary Software | Aug. 2019 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Wild Rose Casinos | SBTech | Feb. 2020 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Wild Rose Casinos | Kambi | Jan. 2021 |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock Sioux City | GiG | Dec. 2019 |
| Q Sportsbook | Q Casino | IGT | Nov. 2019 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Elite Casinos Resorts | Bet.Works | Aug. 2019 |
New Online Sportsbooks
Since the Iowa in-person registration requirement for sports betting expired as of Jan. 1, 2021, online registration for sportsbooks is soaring. To this end, it means that more online sportsbooks are vying to enter the Hawkeye State. The following sportsbooks below will be launching in Iowa with approval from the IRGC.
| Online Sportsbook | IA Partner |
|---|---|
| Unibet Sports | Harrah's Council Bluffs, Horseshoe Council Bluffs |
| Barstool Sportsbook | Ameristar Casino Council Bluffs |
| 888sport | Catfish Bend Casino Burlington |
| WynnBet | Riverside Casino and Resort |
| Vigtory Sportsbook/FuboTV | Casino Marquette |
| Bally's Sportsbook | Grand Falls Casino-Larchwood |
Casino-Based Sportsbooks in Iowa
There is no shortage of physical casinos in Iowa, whether brick-and-mortar casinos or riverboat casinos. Moreover, most of the casinos have sportsbooks available for you to place your sports bets in-person. Below, explore each casino property along with the sportsbook name and address.
| Name | Casino | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsbook at Amerisports | Ameristar II | 2200 River Road Council Bluffs, IA 51501 |
| PointsBet Sportsbook | Catfish Bend Casino | 3001 Winegard Dr. Burlington, IA 52601 |
| Diamond Jo Worth | 777 Diamond Jo Lane Northwood, IA 50459 |
|
| Betfred Sports | Grand Falls Casino Resort | 1415 Grand Falls Blvd. Larchwood, IA 51241 |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino | 111 3rd St. Sioux City, IA 51101 |
| William Hill Sportsbook | Harrah’s Council Bluffs | 1 Harrah's Boulevard Council Bluffs, IA 51501 |
| Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs | 2701 23rd Avenue Council Bluffs, IA 51501 |
|
| Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo | 777 Isle of Capri Blvd Waterloo, IA 50701 |
|
| Isle of Capri-Bettendorf | 1800 Isle Parkway Bettendorf, IA 52722 |
|
| Lakeside Hotel Casino | 777 Casino Drive Osceola, IA 50213 |
|
| Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino | 1 Prairie Meadows Drive Altoona, IA 50009 |
|
| Q Sportsbook | Q Casino | 1855 Greyhound Park Rd Dubuque, IA 52001 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Rhythm City Casino | 7077 Elmore Avenue Davenport, IA 52807 |
| Riverside Casino and Golf Resort | 3184 Highway 22 Riverside, IA 52327 |
|
| DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook | Casino Queen Marquette | 100 Anti-Monopoly Street Marquette, IA 52158 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook at Wild Rose | Wild Rose Casino and Resorts Clinton | 777 Wild Rose Drive Clinton, IA 52732 |
| Wild Rose Casino & Resorts -Emmetsburg | 777 Main St. Emmetsburg, IA 50536 |
|
| Wild Rose Casino & Resorts Jefferson | 777 Wild Rose Drive Jefferson, IA 50129 |
IA Sports Betting Apps
Indeed, more mobile sports betting apps are on the way to Iowa, especially now that in-person registration is no longer required. Below, PlayingLegal ranks the best IA sports betting mobile apps.
BetMGM Sports Mobile App
- Must clear in 7 days
- Available for BetMGM Sports only
- Bet must be qualifying
- Bet must lose
- Free Live Streaming
- Crisp in-play betting
- Boosted parlays
- Easy Navigation
- Shortage of special market odds
- Slow customer support response
Truly, BetMGM offers the most straightforward sports betting mobile app. Quickly find a market of straight bets, parlays, props, and futures. Finally, the live in-play interface while a game is still in play is nothing short of excellent.
William Hill Sports Book Mobile App
- No rollover required
- Qualifying first bet must lose
- Free bet must be used within 7 days
- Valid for new customer accounts only
- Live Streaming
- Transparent terms of use
- Generous welcome bonus
- Responsive customer support
- Complete odds offer
- Cash Out not available yet
- The user interface could be improved
Worldwide, William Hill collects a million sports wagers per day. Thus, the IA William Hill app offers a fantastic mobile betting experience given the sheer number of bets taken per day.
DraftKings Sportsbook Mobile App
- Valid 1 per new customer.
- Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet.
- $150 issued in bonus bets.
- Opt in req. 1 No Sweat token issued per day.
- SGP/SGPx bets only. 3+ legs req.
- Max. wagering limits apply.
- Must use funds from cash balance. Must select token BEFORE placing bet.
- Bet must lose after applying Token. Paid as one Bonus Bet based on amount of losing bet.
- Tokens expire at start of the last game each day when offered.
- No Sweat cannot be used to redeem Bet $5 Get $150 offer.
- Rewarded bonus bets expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded.
- Bonus bets must be wagered 1x and stake is not included in winnings.
- A reputable and historic brand
- Live Streaming
- In-play betting
- Cashouts
- Slow customer support
- Mobile app stability issues
- High wagering requirements for the bonus
Overall, DraftKings still offers a highly rated mobile app. However, customers recently complain about DraftKings app stability and freezing. Thus, be warned that you may experience issues with the DraftKings app. However, the company does release updates often.
How to Bet Online in Iowa
Previously, there was a requirement for in-person registration within the original IA sports betting bill. However, in-person registration for online sports betting officially expired on Jan. 1, 20221. Thus, you can now easily register online and bet from anywhere within Iowa state borders.
The process to place sports wagers online in IA is simple:
- Choose from PlayingLegal’s top list of legal best IA betting sites.
- Next, head over to your selected online sportsbook on your web-based browser.
- Now, if you want to download the mobile app, you can click on the iOS or Android icon on the website. Follow the prompts for download and installation.
- Then, sign-up at your selected IA sportsbook with your personal details.
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Last four digits of your SSN
- Government-issued ID.
- Make sure not to forget to enter in a promo code for the welcome bonus offer if applicable!
- Next, select a payment method to fund your account.
- Verify that the welcome offer is active in your player account details.
- Finally, select your first sports bet and add it to your bet slip.
IA Betting Bonuses and Promotions
Typically, in Iowa, the latest betting bonuses and ongoing promotions revolve around major sporting events. For example, you will see many sportsbook promotions surrounding Iowa Hawkeyes basketball games.
Here is a list of betting bonuses and promotions in Iowa:
- Free bet bonus
- No-deposit bonus
- Deposit match bonus
- Reload bonus
- Boosted odds
- Parlay boosts
- Leaderboard promotions
Additionally, do not count out that some sportsbooks may lag in ongoing promotions but make up for the lack of promotions with lucrative rewards or loyalty programs.
Payment Methods
Playing at a legal IA online sportsbook means that you have various payment methods to choose from. Note that the majority of online sportsbooks, but not all the betting sites offer these payment options:
- Credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
- Bank Transfer
- ACH eCheck
- Sportsbook branded prepaid card such as Play+
- PayPal
- PayNearMe
- Casino cashier’s cage
Most Popular Sports in IA Sportsbooks
Definitely, Iowans enjoy betting on some of the most popular sporting events, which include all the major professional teams. On the other hand, note that there technically are not any professional home teams in IA. However, you can legally wager on the following home teams in Iowa, which are collegiate teams called the Iowa Cyclones and Iowa Hawkeyes. Remember that there are restrictions on in-game prop bets on any Iowa college teams.
| 🏈 NFL | 🏀 NBA |
| 🏒 NHL | ⚾ MLB |
NFL
All in all, there are a variety of bet types allowed on the NFL. Yet, remember that you cannot bet on prop bets on the NFL draft. Although there are no NFL home teams to Iowa, Hawkeyes are fiercely loyal and enjoy betting on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Chicago Bears.
The following are a highlight of NFL bet types available at IA online sportsbooks:
- Moneyline
- Point Spreads
- Totals (Over/Under)
- Futures
- Props
NBA
Again, NBA betting in IA bears many similarities to NFL betting. Because there are no NBA home teams, many Iowans are fans of the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Of particular note, the Minnesota Timberwolves own the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. Moreover, the Iowa Wolves play out of the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, IA.
Futures are a significant area of interest for many sports bettors such as:
- NBA Finals
- Conference Championships
However, note that you cannot bet on MVP props, which is considered a subjective award. In Iowa, you can only legally bet on props that are statistically based.
NHL
Iowans enjoy following the Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, and Milwaukee Admiral. Also, an AHL team called the Iowa Wild plays at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Here’s a selection of popular IA NHL bets to wager on:
- Stanley Cup Final
- Conference Champion
- Division Champion
MLB
Betting on MLB games is one of the most popular sports betting seasons for IA sportsbooks. Iowans enjoy betting on the White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Minnesota Twins.
IA sports bettors can place MLB wagers on:
- Moneyline
- Run line
- Totals
- Alternate lines
Also, here are some popular MLB futures bets available at IA sports betting sites:
- World Series Winner
- Winner of:
- AL or NL
Types of Sports Betting in Iowa
Overall, traditional sports betting types are available in the Hawkeye State.
- Moneyline
- Parlays
- Totals (Over/under)
- Props
- Futures
- Teasers
- Single-game bets
- Point Spreads
- Live in-play betting or in-game wagering
Again, remember the restriction in Iowa on placing props for collegiate sports.
History of Sports Betting in Iowa
Certainly, Iowa has an efficient history and timeline regarding the legalization of sports betting. Other states looking to legalize sports betting should note the Hawkeye State’s timeline as an archetype for quickly and efficiently passing and implementing legislation.
-
Before 1991
Greyhound and horse racing plus lottery and charity gambling were available.
-
1991
First riverboat casinos opened in Iowa named the Dubuque Casino Belle, Emerald Lady, Diamond Lady, and The President.
-
1992
Three casinos owned by Native American Tribes were launched.
-
1994
Iowa Legislature allows 24-hour gambling.
-
2003
Black Hawk, Palo Alto, Worth, and Wapello pass gambling referendums.
-
2004
Amendment removed riverboat casinos from state statues, equalizing land-based casinos and riverboat casinos.
-
2018
Rep. Jake Highfill proposes legislation to legalize sports betting because of the ongoing New Jersey lawsuit to overturn PASPA.
-
2018
NJ won and legalized sports betting, opening the door for other states to do the same. However, IA Legislature adjourns without passing sports betting.
-
Early 2019
Sen. Roby Smith and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann each propose their own version of sports betting, HF 648 and SF 617.
-
April 17, 2019
The final version of SF 617 was approved in Senate, 31-18.
-
April 22, 2019
SF 617 passes 67-31 in House.
-
May 13, 2019
Gov. Reynolds signs SF 617 officially legalizing sports betting in Iowa
-
Aug. 15, 2019
Sports betting officially begins both in retail sportsbooks and online.
The Future of IA Sports Betting
At first blush, you may be quick to write off Iowa due to the 3.1 million population. However, legislators obviously accounted for the state’s small population by offering sportsbooks a favorable betting market.
Some of the strengths that favor a healthy future for IA sports betting include:
- Quick implementation by the IRGC from legalization to launch of sports betting in three short months.
- A move to online registration for sports betting as of Jan. 1, 2021.
- A favorable small tax fee of 6.75%.
- Low licensing and annual fees on IA sportsbook operators.
On the other hand, neighboring states such as Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota are considering legalizing sports betting. In turn, neighboring states legalizing sports betting could hamper the growth of IA sports betting revenue.
The IRGC reports $100 million of sports betting handle in Dec. 2020 with $78 million from online sports wagers. Multiple other online sportsbooks are securing approval from the IRGC to launch in Iowa. In conclusion, IA sports betting revenue is only projected to increase, especially with the requirement for in-person registration expiring.
IA Sports Betting FAQs
Can you bet on sports in Iowa?
Yes, officially, Iowa legalized online sports betting with bill SF 617 on May 15, 2019. In fact, you can bet on professional, college, and other types of sports in Iowa. Moreover, you have a choice of whether to place sports bets online or in-person at retail sportsbooks in various Iowa casinos.
Can I bet online in Iowa?
Yes. Online sports betting is legal in Iowa, with bill SF 617 signed on May 15, 2019, by Gov. Reynolds. However, note that you need to be 21 years or older, and you must be physically within the state to place sports wagers. Yet, you do not need to be a resident of the Hawkeye State. Finally, you can now complete registration online as of Jan. 2021, without physically heading into a land-based sportsbook.
Can you play FanDuel in Iowa?
Yes, FanDuel is legal and licensed in the state of Iowa. If you sign up through PlayingLegal, you receive a fantastic welcome offer. Officially, FanDuel launched in Iowa in Sept. 2020. You can register online or even head into two retail FanDuel Sportsbooks located at the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque or the Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood.
How much revenue does sports betting bring to Iowa?
The start of sports betting in Iowa required in-person registration. However, in-person registration in Iowa is no longer required as of Jan. 1, 2021. Despite the requirement, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) reported a record-breaking month for Dec. 2020 with over $100 million wagered. This amount translates to the Hawkeye State bringing around $500,000 in tax revenue from sports betting alone. Finally, tax revenue from sports betting is projected to increase with the end of in-person registration, and more online sportsbooks are projected to launch.
What are the Iowa sports betting rules?
Sports betting is officially legal in Iowa as of Aug. 15, 2019. Some essential Iowa sports betting rules are: 1) must be 21 or older, 2) must be physically located within state borders, 3) must submit to geolocation checks and 4) only licensed sportsbooks are legal. Finally, you can wager on professional, collegiate, and international sporting events. However, prop betting involving in-state college teams is prohibited.
Can you play at BetMGM in Iowa?
Yes, officially, BetMGM launched in Iowa on Jan. 4, 2021. Sign up through PlayingLegal for a lucrative welcome bonus offer. Moreover, BetMGM customers are privy to the M life Rewards program and can earn perks towards MGM Resorts nationwide. BetMGM’s partner in Iowa is the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque.
Can you play at DraftKings in Iowa?
Yes, DraftKings is available in Iowa with its online sports betting platform or even in retail sportsbooks at the three Wild Rose casinos. The Hawkeye State’s requirement to play at DraftKings is to be at least 21 years old and be physically located within Iowa state borders.
