Sign In Get the App $ $

Iowa Sports Betting

Nick Chappell Tue 11/12 5:31pm PT

In the era of state-regulated sports betting in the United States, few have done it better than Iowa. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down PASPA, which opened the door to legal sports betting, the state acted quickly and efficiently, and now offers one of the most robust wagering marketplaces in the country. 

Sports betting went live in Iowa during the month of May in 2019. At that point Iowa became the first state to launch both online and retail sports betting at the same time. Iowa is now covered with retail sportsbooks and a growing list of online options. On this page, we’ll break down everything you need to know about sports betting in the Hawkeye State.

Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes

General Iowa Sports Betting Info

Who’s allowed to bet on sports in Iowa? Generally speaking, there are a few key requirements that prospective bettors must meet.

There are a few other niche rules, like if you’re banned from a casino, or are a coach/player/trainer for a team that you can potentially bet on, then you’re now allowed to bet. However, in most cases, if you can pass the age and location tests, you’re good to go.

State-to-State Differences

In the post-PASPA world, each state is able to individually pursue sports betting and form its own rules. This means that the regulated market will look a little different in each state that has embraced it. Here are a few notable details that currently shape the market in Iowa.

College Props

In an effort to protect amateur athletes, Iowa also elected to restrict prop betting on college sports. This means you won’t be able to wager on things like a college running back’s total yardage, or how many 3-pointers a specific basketball player hits.

Individual international sports are also off-limits if the participants are under 18.

Licensing

It’s relatively inexpensive to get set up as a licensee in Iowa, which has opened the door for plenty of operators to enter the state. A sports betting license will run you just $45K, and will require a $10K renewal fee each year. In addition, each licensee can operate two separate skins.

The tax rate was also set at a very operator-friendly 6.75%. By comparison, New Jersey taxes at 8.5%, West Virginia at 10%, and Pennsylvania at a whopping 36%.

Top Iowa Sportsbooks

Iowa has an impressive 19 state-licensed casinos, each of which has now acquired a sports betting license and is eligible to operate a sportsbook. Under state law, all 19 could also host two separate online sports betting skins as well.

Below is a list of every online sportsbook in the state and their retail wagering affiliations:

Online SportsbookRetail PartnerOnline Launch
Fanatics SportsbookCatfish BendNovember 26, 2019 (as PointsBet)
BetRiversWild RoseJanuary 4, 2021
BetMGMDiamond Jo WorthJanuary 4, 2021
DraftKingsWild RoseFebruary 19, 2020
FanDuelDiamond JoSeptember 3, 2020
Caesars SportsbookIsle Bettendorf/Isle Waterloo/Prarie Meadows/LakesideAugust 15, 2019
bet365 SportsbookCasino Queen MarquetteJune 5, 2023
Elite SportsbookRhythm City/ Riverside/Grand FallsAugust 27, 2019
BetFredGrand FallsJuly 7, 2020
Q SportsbookQ CasinoNovember 12, 2019
Hard RockHard Rock Sioux CityDecember 16, 2019
Bally BetElite Casino ResortJune 29, 2021
Circa SportsbookDiamond JoOctober 1, 2021
BetwayWild RoseOctober 8, 2021
DRF SportsbookLakeside CasinoJanuary 25, 2022
SuperBook SportsIsle Casino WaterlooOctober 27, 2022

Online Sportsbooks Available in Iowa

In this section we’ll break down each of the online sportsbooks that are live and accepting bets in Iowa.

Fanatics Sportsbook

Fanatics purchased PointsBet in 2023 and has since replaced it with its own Fanatics Sportsbook brand in the states where PointsBet operated. This is good news for bettors in Iowa and elsewhere, because Fanatics is a solid sportsbook with terrific promotions for both new and existing customers.

PointsBet was a good sportsbook, but it never really caught in here in the US. We are confident that Fanatics will have success in Iowa now that it has launched in the state.

BetMGM

BetMGM is on a mission to be the top online sportsbook in the country after investing a ton of money into their online product. BetMGM is backed by retail gaming giant MGM Resorts International and features a packed promotional schedule and competitive lines and pricing.

Caesars Sportsbook

In addition to being the joint-first brick-and-mortar book to go live in the state on Aug. 15, 2019, William Hill was also the first online operator to take bets in the state on the same day. It’s four partner properties will give William Hill, now Caesars Sportsbook, a strong grip in both central and south-eastern Iowa. Caesars also has a great welcome offer for new players where you can get up to $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn’t Win!

UK-based William Hill was acquired by Caesars in Spring 2021. All of the brand’s U.S.-based online sportsbooks were rebranded in Summer 2021.

DraftKings

DraftKings is the largest operator in the daily fantasy sports industry, and is now successfully expanding its web to include sports betting. DraftKings sportsbooks are active in numerous regulated states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and more.

DraftKings’ retail operations began on October 3rd, 2019 at each of its three partner casinos in the state. After a slight delay, it rolled out its mobile app and online platform on February 19, becoming the first Iowa site to launch in 2020.

BetRivers

BetRivers has been offering online sports betting since 2018 in New Jersey under their Play SugarHouse brand, and have gone live in several other states since such as Pennsylvania, Colorado and Illinois. BetRivers has one of the most generous welcome offers in the industry, tons of betting options, and the iRush rewards program that treats you to special offers the more you play.

ESPN BET

PENN Entertainment’s situation is one of the more interesting ones at this time, as the company announced a partnership with ESPN. ESPN BET is now available in Iowa and all states where sports betting is legal.

The most recognizable sports entertainment brand in the United States is one of the biggest moves we’ve seen in an era with sports betting legal.

Join today with promo code SAOBONUS to get the welcome offer Get a $1,500 First Bet Reset!

Elite Sportsbook

Elite Sportsbook is as close to a small-town online operator as you’ll find. It’s owned by Elite Casino Resorts, which owns and operates three excellent Iowa casino sites, Riverside, Rhythm City, and Grand Falls. ECR’s entire operation is in the state of Iowa.

Elite Sportsbook uses the accomplished Bet.Works tech platform, and was the second online book to launch in the state on August 27, 2019.

Q Sportsbook

Q Sportsbook is unique in that it operates online entirely through an app, there is no browser-based sportsbook option. The user friendly app, which it developed through a partnership with experienced tech partner IGT, offers users an excellent overall experience.

The Q Casino in Dubuque serves as Q Sportsbooks’ retail partner, and was the third site to launch with mobile sports betting in Iowa.

Hard Rock Sportsbook

Hard Rock was the last online operator to launch in Iowa during 2019, officially accepting bets on December 16th. Its mobile platform is run by Gaming Innovation Group, GiG, one of the industry’s most prominent tech partners. Brick-and-mortar operations are headquartered at the Hard Rock Sioux City which is located right on the border with both Nebraska and South Dakota, which increases out-of-state traffic.

Betfred

UK-based Betfred has grown from just a single betting shop outside Manchester in 1967, to one of the world’s largest sportsbooks. Iowa is the company’s first of many U.S. states, where its online betting app and will operate as the second of two possible skins on the Grand Falls Casino license. Elite Sportsbook remains the on-premise retail sponsor.

DRF Sportsbook

DRF Sportsbook is now live in Iowa with a generous welcome offer. Get a Deposit Match up to $300 + $50 in Bet Credits!

New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in IA only. Full T&C apply.

Betway

Circa Sportsbook

Bally Bet

SuperBook Sports

bet365 Sportsbook

FanDuel

FanDuel’s retail sportsbook was live in Iowa on August 29, 2019, just two weeks after the statewide launch. Mobile operations took off almost exactly one year later.

Despite a delayed mobile launch, its no surprise that FanDuel quickly rose through the ranks and is now one of the top online sportsbooks in Iowa. FanDuel is a top rated sportsbook in any market they enter thanks to great lines, packed promotional schedule and stunning mobile app.

Iowa Betting Options

There are just a few restrictions in Iowa when it comes to available betting options, and they are centered around college prop bets. As we explained above, you can’t make any individual college prop bets in the state. Other than that, Iowa sports bettors will have a full sheet at their disposal, including (but not limited to):

Sites like PointsBet also bring new, unique wagering options like PointsBetting to the Iowa sports betting market.

Iowa Sportsbook Banking Methods

Before you can place a bet, you’ll need to fund your sportsbook account. For the time being, the easiest way to do this is in-person, at the casino that partners with your online book. All sports bettors will need to sign up in-person as per the current law, so while you’re there, it’s easy to deposit some cash and load up the account.

After that, it’s possible to deposit or withdraw from an account using popular options like:

Each site will have different methods, so be sure to check the cashier of your chosen online sportsbooks to see what is available to you.

Iowa Sports Betting Platforms

Iowa bettors can place wagers online using mobile apps (iOS and Android), and through their favorite internet browsers. iOS apps are easy to find within the Apple app store, Android users can also try their app store, but may have to visit the sportsbooks website directly to find a download link.

As for browser-based betting, simply load up your preferred option, Chrome, FireFox, Safari, etc., and visit your chosen sportsbook. Log-in, and you’re good to go.

Why You Should Bet With a Legal Sportsbook

If given the option between an online sportsbook that’s been approved by the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, or your old offshore bookmaker… choose the regulated option every time. There’s a level of convenience, and more importantly safety, that can’t be matched with the legal market.

They’re Trustworthy

Legal sports betting operations in the US are safe, secure, and absolutely trustworthy. In betting with one, there’s peace of mind in knowing it has jumped through the proper hoops, paid the right fees, and is committed to bringing its customers a class product. A licensed book isn’t going to shut down overnight and take your money – they are completely legit.

Easy Transactions

Another major plus about the regulated sports betting market is that financial transactions are a breeze. You can link a bank account for direct transfers, use a credit card, ewallet, pay in cash at the casino, etc. Your old offshore site will have to tiptoe around this aspect of the business due to federal law.

More Choices, Better Value

Simply put, the more options you have for online sports betting, the more value bettors will get. The more choices you have, the more likely you are to find a bonus bet, a reload bonus, an odds boost, etc. that helps give you an edge. Competition between operators will create better products for Iowa sports bettors to enjoy.

A History of Gambling in Iowa

Seniors bingo, that’s where it all began. Until the early 70’s all forms of gambling were prohibited in Iowa until a seniors bingo game got the conversation started. In 1973 the Iowa General Assembly moved to permit bingo, raffles, and some other games of chance.

Horse and dog racing got the “OK” a decade later in 1983, and the Iowa lottery began operations in 1985. In the early 90’s a more expansive gaming bill was passed, which included an expansion of the lottery to include PowerBall and MegaMillions, as well as the addition of riverboat casinos. From that point on, riverboat and brick-and-mortar properties have popped up all over the state, offering a full assortment of games. Iowa is now home to 23 casinos, 19 with a state license, and 4 Native American facilities. 

Iowa’s sports betting bill, SF 617, passed the legislature with bipartisan support in April 2019. A few weeks later on May 13, 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds placed her signature on the bill turning it into law, officially legalizing sports betting in Iowa. The first regulated bets were placed in-person, and online just a few months later on August 15th.

Shortly after sports betting got the go-ahead, Iowa elected to officially regulate and approve its daily fantasy sports industry. Overseen by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, DraftKings was the first operator to enter the Iowa market in October 2019, in time for the second half of the NFL season.

FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
Sports betting is 100% legal in Iowa. However, that only includes bets that are placed with a licensed operator. If you’re betting with an offshore site, or with your guy at the bowling alley… not so much.

Who oversees the Iowa sports betting industry?
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is in charge of regulating sports betting operations and awarding licenses in the state.

What’s the legal age to bet sports in Iowa?
Twenty-one (21) years old. If you can’t enter a casino and game in the state, you can’t place a bet on sports.

Does Iowa permit online sports betting?
Absolutely, online betting is key to Iowa’s sports betting industry. You can bet online with iOS and Android mobile apps, and using a web browser.

What casinos in the state offer retail sports betting?
Pretty much all of them – the full list of state licensed retail sportsbooks can be found in the table above.

Can I sign up online?
Yes! As of January 1, 2021 you can sign up for any of the online sportsbooks on your computer or mobile device.

•