Iowa Sports Betting - The Best Iowa Sportsbooks

Written by: Richard Jarvin

When you look back from when PASPA overturned legal sports betting to now, you’ll find that Iowa was one of the first to get in on the action, bringing sports betting to the state in August 2019, becoming the 11th state to do so.

On launch day, August 15, only Caesars Sportsbook had a license, but Elite Sportsbook went live two weeks later.

Our team here at US Legal Betting will get you up to date on all you need to know about Iowa sports betting, including the five best legal betting sites, retail sportsbooks, in-state betting apps, and so much more.

Top Iowa Sportsbooks

1

New players only | 21+ | Must bet $10+ | Paid in Bonus Bets | Bonus Bets expire in 7 days | Bonus Bets not included in winnings | Full T&C apply

2

New players only | 21+ | Must bet $20+ | PAID IN BONUS BETS | Free Bet expire after 7 days | Free Bet not included in winnings | Full T&C apply

3

New players only | 21+ | Must deposit $10+ | Use bonus code SPORTS | Free Bet expire after 14 days | Free Bet not included in winnings | Full T&C apply

4

New players only | 21+ | Deposit required. Bonus Bets available for use upon settlement of qualifying bet. Returns exclude Bonus Bets wager.

5

Ends: 11:59 PM MST on 07/11/2024. Must be a new verified Betway patron & present in OH. 21+. Make total qualifying deposits of $20+, place your first wager after account opening of $20+ with odds of at least –300 (1.33)) and receive $40 as bonus bet funds. Wager must be settled within 7 days from new account opening. Qualifying wager restrictions apply. Any bonus bet funds earned must be used within 7 days of receipt. Bonus bet funds are not the same as cash, must be used in the Sportsbook, and are subject to restrictions. Promo subject to full T&Cs. Gambling problem? Call/text 1-800-GAMBLER.

6

New players only | 21+ | Must deposit $50 | Full T&C apply

All Live Iowa Sportsbooks 2024

  1. bet365 Iowa - The Best Overall Iowa Sportsbook
  2. BetRivers Iowa - Best Sportsbook Rewards Program
  3. FanDuel Iowa - Best Sportsbook For New Bettors
  4. BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa - Best Parlay Betting Sportsbook
  5. Betway Sportsbook Iowa - Massive Global Sportsbook Brand
  6. DraftKings Iowa - Best Player Prop Betting Markets
  7. Caesars Sportsbook Iowa - Top Daily Odds Boosts
  8. Elite Sportsbook Iowa - Top Local Sportsbook
  9. Q Sportsbook Iowa - Top Local Sportsbook Competitor
  10. Fanatics Sportsbook Iowa - New Big Name Iowa Sportsbook
  11. Hard Rock Sportsbook Iowa - Well-Known Iowa Sportsbook Brand
  12. Betfred Sportsbook Iowa - Most Unique Sportsbook Welcome Bonus
  13. Circa Sportsbook Iowa - Reputable Sportsbook Brand From Las Vegas
  14. SuperBook Sportsbook Iowa - Excellent User Interface Design
  15. ESPN Bet Iowa - The Newest Sportsbook in Iowa
  16. Bally Bet Sportsbook Iowa - Accessible Sportsbook Welcome Bonus
  17. ClutchBet Sportsbook Iowa - Best Local Sports Team Odds
  18. Tipico Sportsbook Iowa - Best Cashback Sportsbook Promotion

Top 5 Iowa Sports Betting Sites

bet365 Iowa - The Best Overall Iowa Sportsbook

Bet365 Sportsbook Logo

The best online sportsbook in Iowa is bet365 thanks to its welcome offer, existing user promotions, live betting interface, and the overall betting markets.

At bet365 IA, you can pick between two welcome offers: One that offers a $1,000 Safety Net Bet or $150 in bonus bets when you wager $5.

There are other promotions for early payouts in the NBA, baseball, hockey, soccer, and more.

Live streaming is available for select sports, so be sure to check when a game is live to see if bet365 IA offers it.

Sign Up Offer$1,000 Safety Net Bet or Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets
bet365  Promo CodeN/A
Minimum Betting Age21
App PlatformsiOS and Android
How It’s Listedbet365 Sportsbook
bet365 Legal StatesCO, NJ, OH, VA, IA, KY, LA, IN, AZ, NC
Retail Partnership (Sports Team)N/A
Retail Partnership (Casino)Casino Queen Marquette
Other PartnershipsPGA TOUR and Aaron Paul
Launch DateJune 5, 2023
bet365 Review

BetRivers Iowa - Best Sportsbook Rewards Program

BetRivers

BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa is one of the best online betting sites in Iowa, thanks to the accessible welcome offer, rewards program, live betting interface, and more.

As a new player, you’ll be able to make your first wager while knowing that if you lose, you’ll get it back up to $100.

The rewards program here, iRush Rewards, is a multi-tiered program that you’ll ascend as you wager. The rewards include access to the bonus store, expedited withdrawals, a free gaming device, and more.

As for live betting, the user interface here not only includes the markets and a live tracker of what’s happening in the game but also select games that have live streaming and a plethora of stats available.

Sign Up OfferSecond Chance Bet up to $100
BetRivers Promo CodeSPORTS
Minimum Betting Age21
App PlatformsiOS and Android
How It’s ListedBetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers Legal StatesIA, MD, IL, IN, OH, CO, MI, NY, PA, WV, VA, DE, AZ, LA, NJ
Retail Partnership (Sports Team)N/A
Retail Partnership (Casino)Wild Rose
Other PartnershipsJerome Bettis, Mike Ditka, Joakim Noah, Bobby Valentine
Launch DateJune 5, 2023
BetRivers Review

BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa - Best Parlay Betting Sportsbook

BetMGM Sportsbook

The BetMGM IA mobile app is top-notch due to how user-friendly it is and how similar it is to the desktop page. Additionally, BetMGM is the go-to place for parlay betting. While other sites offer parlay features, BetMGM stands out with several pre-built Same Game Parlays for most games. It also provides an "Easy Parlay" page that lists all the betting markets you can parlay, which can be filtered by sport.

The welcome bonus at BetMGM offers up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if your first wager loses.

BetMGM Iowa also supports live streaming across numerous sports. The live betting interface is straightforward, making it easy to view all betting markets.

Like DraftKings and FanDuel, there's a special deposit method with the BetMGM Gift Card.

Sign Up OfferUp to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets
BetMGM Promo CodeN/A
Minimum Betting Age21
App PlatformsiOS and Android
How It’s ListedBetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Legal StatesAZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MA, NC, MI, NJ, TN, OH, PA, TN, VA, WY, and WV
Retail Partnership (Sports Team)N/A
Retail Partnership (Casino)Diamond Jo Worth
Other PartnershipsMLB, NASCAR, NBA, NHL, PGA TOUR, PLL, UFC, Chris Chelios, Connor McDavid, Jamie Foxx, Wayne Gretzky, Jalen Rose, Kevin Garnett, Barry Sanders, Chris Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Tim Howard, Tom Brady
Launch DateJanuary 4, 2021
BetMGM Review

Betway Sportsbook Iowa - Massive Global Sportsbook Brand

betway

Betway Sportsbook Iowa might not be the most well-known brand in the state, but it possesses decades of experience internationally.

Now in the United States, Betway offers players an easy-to-understand user interface design, a $250 welcome bonus, and numerous betting markets.

With the welcome bonus, you’ll get your first wager back if it loses up to $250. You can also explore the Betway Boosts section to see the available odds boosts for that day.

Sign Up Offer$250 Second Chance Bet
Betway Promo CodeN/A
Minimum Betting Age21
App PlatformsiOS and Android
How It’s ListedBetway Sportsbook
Betway Legal StatesAZ, CO, IA, IN, LA, NJ, OH, PA, VA
Retail Partnership (Sports Team)N/A
Retail Partnership (Casino)Wild Rose
Other PartnershipsN/A
Launch DateOctober 8, 2021
BetMGM Review

FanDuel Iowa - Best Sportsbook For New Bettors

FanDuel Sportsbook

Where FanDuel excels best is how new-player-friendly it is. With the Betting 101 guide, you’ll gain access to both text and video content that teaches you all about sports betting, including individual sports. Even better, you don’t need an account to access this.

For new players, you’ll also get $150 in bonus bets after placing and winning a mere $5 wager.

Like DraftKings, FanDuel IA offers plenty of banking methods, including PayPal, Venmo, and the FanDuel Prepaid Play+ Card, as well as daily offers that enhance the betting experience.

To land in North Carolina, FanDuel partnered with the PGA TOUR.

Sign Up OfferBet $5, Get $150 if $5 wager wins
FanDuel Promo CodeN/A
Minimum Betting Age21
App PlatformsiOS and Android
How It’s ListedFanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Legal StatesAZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, NV, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY
Retail Partnership (Sports Team)N/A
Retail Partnership (Casino)Diamond Jo, Diamond Jo Worth (retail only)
Other PartnershipsLPGA, MLS, NASCAR, NHL, NLL, PGA TOUR, Jordan Spieth, Dr DisRespect, Boomer Esiason, Carli Lloyd, Tom Kim, Rob Gronkowski, James Harrison, Charles Barkley
Launch DateSeptember 9, 2020
FanDuel  Review

Best Iowa Sportsbook Bonuses

While we touched on the top five sportsbooks in Iowa above, there are plenty of others to choose from. With that, you’ll come across numerous Iowa sportsbook promos, and below, we’ll list the ones you’ll most often come across.

  • Bonus Bets: These are the currency you’ll most often receive from bonuses and promotions throughout Iowa. With these, you can make wagers. However, if the wager wins, you won’t receive the initial wager as part of your payout.
  • Deposit Bonus: These were more common in the early days of sports betting, but with these, you’ll receive a percentage match up to a specific amount for your first deposit at an Iowa sportsbook.
  • Loyalty Programs: These programs allow you to accumulate points to use on online and in-person perks and benefits, such as bonus bets or complimentary hotel rooms.
  • Odds Boosts: These are betting markets with enhanced betting odds. For example, a sportsbook could transform a team’s odds from -125 to +100 to attract more betting action.

Iowa Sports Betting: Latest News

📰 June 5, 2024: Iowa-based athletes suing the federal government for rights violations in lawsuit brought against them

📰 May 22, 2024: Iowa's sports betting handle was $209.5 million, down 23% from March but up 21.4% compared to April 2023.

📰 April 29, 2024: A University of Iowa betting scandal involved 26 students.

📰 April 16, 2024: Sports betting handle is $272.3 million, up over 23% from February.

📰 April 5, 2024: Iowa legislators voted to delay implementing rules to prevent student-athletes from betting on their games.

📰 March 5, 2024: A sports betting case against four Iowa State athletes was dismissed.

How Did Iowa Sports Betting Become Legal?

The process for making Iowa sports betting legal was quite fast compared to most states. In April 2019, the Iowa Legislature passed Senate File 617, the bill for sports betting. In May of that year, Governor Kim Reynolds signed it into office, and retail sports betting became legal shortly after that.

Finally, on August 15, 2019, mobile betting launched with Caesars Sportsbook Iowa.

Iowa was the 11th state to legalize sports betting.

Iowa Betting Law

While Iowa is one of many with legal sports betting today, all sports betting laws are slightly different outside of sports betting, ultimately becoming available to the general public.

Here are some unique aspects of Iowa sports betting law:

  • There are 19 state-licensed casinos with sports betting permits.
  • Iowa Sports betting revenue is taxed at 6.75%.
  • The licensing fee is $45,000, and the renewal fee is $10,000.
  • Prop bets on college sports teams aren’t allowed.
  • The Iowa sports betting age is 21 or older.
  • No mandate for using official league data.
  • Sports betting is overseen and regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

Who Regulates Sports Betting In Iowa?

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates Iowa sports betting. Its responsibilities include making rules, granting licenses, monitoring sportsbooks, enforcing rules, providing responsible gaming resources, ensuring sportsbooks have methods in place to protect customer data, and more.

How Much Money Do Iowa Sportsbooks Generate?

Here’s the Iowa sports betting handle by month, ranging from August 2019 to April 2024.

Month and Year

Sports Betting Handle

April 2024$209,522,911
March 2024$272,366,214
February 2024$220,583,732
January 2024$259,468,795
December 2023$282,723,930
November 2023$289,698,466
October 2023$255,293,522
September 2023$245,759,020
August 2023$141,295,039
July 2023$109,680,895
June 2023$115,595,593
May 2023$147,715,126
April 2023$172,589,394
March 2023$232,614,150
February 2023$193,879,638
January 2023$233,619,612
December 2022$229,949,570
November 2022$247,476,284
October 2022$238,788,234
September 2022$200,230,741
August 2022$122,568,313
July 2022$108,556,796
June 2022$122,437,950
May 2022$147,913,284
April 2022$177,370,317
March 2022$233,525,474
February 2022$215,921,313
January 2022$303,327,688
December 2021$266,518,049
November 2021$287,436,570
October 2021$285,532,771
September 2021$216,116,399
August 2021$109,149,917
July 2021$89,960,118
June 2021$111,176,671
May 2021$114,882,963
April 2021$118,355,535
March 2021$161,439,561
February 2021$143,615,170
January 2021$149,524,789
December 2020$104,815,630
November 2020$87,169,919
October 2020$81,902,416
September 2020$72,397,241
August 2020$50,313,674
July 2020$22,859,622
June 2020$12,711,201
May 2020$6,976,637
April 2020$1,568,497
March 2020$19,585,711
February 2020$56,920,783
January 2020$58,027,141
November 2019$59,344,806
October 2019$46,500,331
September 2019$38,545,352
August 2019$8,576,341

How To Start Betting In Iowa

To start betting in Iowa, follow our step-by-step guide below. By following this, you’ll be ready to bet in the state immediately.

  1. Check out our betting guides here at USA Legal Betting. These guides cover everything from depositing/withdrawing money, placing a bet, creating an account, and more.
  2. Explore our best Iowa betting sites and online IA sportsbooks to see which makes the most sense.
  3. Decide which sportsbook(s) to play at and create an account. You can also download the Iowa sports betting app if you prefer to play there.
  4. After you create your account, deposit funds. A link can be found in the upper right on the sportsbook's homepage.
  5. Take advantage of the welcome bonus. These are typically wagers where you’ll receive your initial wager back as bonus bets if you lose or get a specified amount in bonus bets after making a wager.
  6. Start betting on your favorite teams and sports with all that out of the way.

Are Iowa Sportsbooks Available On Mobile Apps?

Yes. Since sports betting launched on August 15, 2019, all legal sportsbooks have Iowa sports betting apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

How Do I Use An IA Sportsbook Mobile App?

If you’re like most, chances are you’ll spend most of your time wagering in Iowa on the go. It’s important to understand how to use a mobile app, but we’re here to tell you it’s not too different from using the desktop platform.

Registration

After deciding which site to play at, visit your app store, type in the sportsbook, and download the app. Once this is complete, open the app and create an account.

Depositing Funds

Once you’ve created your account, it’s time to deposit. A link to deposit funds is typically in the upper right corner of the mobile app's homepage.

Placing Bets

With funds in your account, look through the mobile app and find what sport you want to bet on. From there, decide what market you want to wager on within that sport. Clicking on it will add it to your betslip, where you can put in how much you want to wager on that particular event.

Brand’s nameios AppAndroid AppLive Chat SupportInstant Withdrawal
DraftKingsYesYesYesYes
FanDuelYesYesYesYes
FanaticsYesYesYesYes
ESPN BETYesYesYesNo
BetMGMYesYesYesYes
CaesarsYesYesYesYes
Elite SportsbookYesYesNoNo
Q SportsbookYesYesNoNo
BetfredYesYesYesNo
bet365YesYesYesYes
BetRiversYesYesYesYes
BetwayYesYesYesYes
ClutchBetYesYesNoNo
CircaYesYesNoNo
Hard RockYesYesYesYes
SuperBookYesYesNoNo
TipicoYesYesYesYes
SporttradeYesYesNoNo

Sports and Leagues You Can Legally Bet on in Iowa

Football

NFL Official League LogoNFL

While no teams are in the state, NFL betting sites are widely available in Iowa. At these, you can wager on all the expected markets, including moneyline, parlays, point spread, and props; and yes, betting on the Super Bowl is available.

NCAA Football Official LogoNCAA Football

Where there are no NFL teams, there are two headline NCAA football programs in Iowa and Iowa State. Therefore, there will be plenty of high-caliber NCAA football betting sites to wager on everything from individual games to who will make the College Football Playoff. Expect only the best of the best regarding sportsbook promos when college football season rolls around.

Basketball

NBA Official League LogoNBA

Betting on the NBA is exciting regardless of which state you’re in, but like the NFL, there are no professional basketball teams in Iowa.

NCAA Basketball Official LogoNCAA Basketball

Betting on NCAA basketball has been nothing short of magic in Iowa lately, thanks to Iowa State. The Cyclones made it to the Sweet Sixteen this past season, and the Hawkeyes also made the tournament. Since 2022, the Cyclones have been to two Sweet Sixteen games. You can expect numerous Iowa sports betting promos during the height of their seasons.

March Madness Official LogoMarch Madness

Outside of football, there’s no bigger event than betting on March Madness in Iowa, especially as Iowa State continues to prove they’re one of the best teams in the country.

Baseball

MLB Official League LogoMLB

Betting on the MLB is available in Iowa despite the fact that there is no professional team. Yes, betting on the World Series is available, and you’ll still be able to take advantage of all of the top sports promotions, even if you’re in Iowa.

Hockey

NHL Official League LogoNHL

Are you sensing a theme here? Sadly, there’s no professional hockey team in Iowa. Still, NHL betting sites are available. Like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, you can partake in the championship of the NHL and betting on the Stanley Cup will remain popular in the state due to how competitive the games are throughout the NHL postseason. 

PGA Tour Official LogoGolf

Just across the border in Silvis, Illinois, is the John Deere Classic for the PGA Tour, so even though it’s not in Iowa exactly, there are plenty of golf betting sites to choose from. In addition to the John Deere Classic, you can bet on the PGA Championship, The Masters, and more.

NASCAR Official LogoNASCAR Auto Racing

NASCAR betting is wildly popular in Iowa thanks to the Iowa Speedway. On June 16, 2024, it’ll host its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race. Expect a lot of attention from Iowa sportsbooks on this event.

Boxing GloveBoxing

Betting on boxing will always be available, even as a niche sport. Iowa has seen many great boxers rise, including Michael Nunn, Marcos Ramirez, Al Palzer, and Ray Bronson.

UFC Official LogoMMA

Although there aren’t any UFC events in Iowa, MMA betting sites are widely available. The same goes for UFC betting sites, as there are numerous top platforms in Iowa for betting on that league, including DraftKings Sportsbook.

Man on a Horse IconHorse Betting

Horse betting has been legal online in Iowa since 2011. Numerous notable races take place in Iowa, including the Iowa Derby, Iowa Oaks, Cornhusker Handicap, Altoona Derby, and more.

Soccer

Soccer betting is available despite the lack of a professional team. The closest thing to one in the state is the Des Moines Menace from USL League Two.

Daily Fantasy Sports IconDaily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily fantasy sports became legal in Iowa in May 2019. Platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and more are legal.

Tennis

Betting on tennis is available in Iowa, and you can bet on all of the top majors around the world. There are some intriguing tournaments that come through the state, including those from the USTA.

College Sports Betting in Iowa

Yes, you can bet on college sports in Iowa. The sports available in the state include basketball, football, baseball, and more. Iowa and Iowa State are the two most popular schools to bet on for college sports.

Prohibited Sports Betting in Iowa

In Iowa, you’re unable to wager on college player props or high school sports.

Sports Betting on Iowa Sports Teams

Professional Sports Teams in Iowa

There are no professional sports teams in Iowa. 

College Sports Teams in Iowa

As mentioned, the state’s two most popular college programs are the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa Cyclones. Still, there are many other colleges and programs in Iowa to consider. 

Basketball

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Iowa State University Cyclones
  • Drake University Bulldogs
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Football

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Iowa State University Cyclones
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Baseball

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Iowa State University Cyclones
  • Drake University Bulldogs
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Softball

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Iowa State University Cyclones
  • Drake University Bulldogs
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Soccer

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes (women’s only)
  • Iowa State University Cyclones (women’s only)
  • Drake University Bulldogs
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Volleyball

  • University of Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Iowa State University Cyclones
  • Drake University Bulldogs
  • University of Northern Iowa Panthers
  • Upper Iowa University Peacocks
  • Northwestern College Red Raiders
  • Cornell College Rams

Is DFS Legal in Iowa?

Yes. DFS has been legal in Iowa since May 2019, when the sports betting bill was signed into law.

Is Horse Race Betting Legal in Iowa?

Yes. Online horse racing betting was legalized in 2011. Now, you can wager online or in person. In-person betting is done at racetracks like Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona.

Retail Sports Betting in Iowa

  • Isle Bettendorf (Caesars): Located in Bettenford, Isle Bettendorf opened in 1995 and has 35,00 square feet of gaming space. There’s also a hotel on site with more than 500 rooms. It was renovated in 2016. A Caesars Sportsbook can be found on the site.
    Isle Waterloo (Caesars): Another “Isle” branch, Waterloo also has a Caesars on-site. This location opened in 2007 and has over 37,000 square feet of gaming space and north of 1,000 slots.
  • Prairie Meadows (Caesars): Located in Altoona, Iowa, Prairie Meadows also has a Caesars Sportsbook on site. It opened in 1989 and offers horse racing for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. More than 2.7 million people visit the location annually. 
  • Harrah’s Council Bluffs (Caesars): With more than 250 hotel rooms on site, Harrah’s in Council Bluff has 25,000 square feet of gaming space and numerous notable restaurants like 360 Steakhouse. There’s a Caesars Sportsbook on site here, too. 
  • Horseshoe Casino (Caesars): Another location with a Caesars Sportsbook, Horseshow offers dozens of TVs, betting kiosks, and a full-service bar. 
    Grand Falls, Rhythm City, and Riverside (Betfred): All under the same umbrella, these locations offer Betfred as an on-site sportsbook. There are self-service kiosks available 24 hours per day, and there are thousands of square feet dedicated to the sportsbook at each location. 
  • Q Casino (Q Sportsbook): In addition to food and drinks, there’s a 165-foot video wall at the sportsbook inside Q Casino. Additionally, there are more than 100 hotel rooms, and Greyhound racing used to occur here. 
  • Hard Rock Sioux City (Hard Rock): With more than 45,000 square feet worth of gaming space, Hard Rock in Sioux City has more than 50 hotel rooms and attractions like Anthem and Battery Park. There are also more than 850 slots to play. 
  • Wild Rose: Clinton, Jefferson, and Emmetsburg (DraftKings): All Wild Rose locations in Iowa have DraftKings Sportsbooks on site. Currently, the sportsbook is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at all locations. However, there are kiosks in the casino that can be accessed during casino operating hours. 
  • Diamond Jo Worth (FanDuel): With over 38,000 square feet of gaming space, Diamond Jo Worth opened in 2006. On-site, you’ll find a Woodfire Grille, The Kitchen Buffet, and fast options like Subway and Burger King. 
  • Casino Queen Marquette: The sportsbooks are currently shut down. 
  • Ameristar: There’s a sportsbook on site here, but there doesn’t appear to be any affiliation to a sportsbook in the state. Here, you’ll find six terminals, ten kiosks, and over 50 TVs to watch all your favorite sports. 
  • Catfish Bend (Fanatics): At Catfish Bend, players will find a Fanatics Sportsbook on-site with a sports bar, slot machines, multi-screen video, odds displayed on the wall, and more. The betting counter closes at 8 pm ET Sunday through Thursday and at 9 pm ET Friday through Saturday.

How Does Sports Betting in IA Compare to Other States

On the borders of Iowa rest four legal sports betting states, including Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Below, we’ll examine how legal they are and how they stack up to Iowa.

Illinois State Black SilhouetteIllinois Sports Betting

Illinois sports betting launched in June 2019, just months before Iowa. Here, both in-person and online sports betting is legal and you can wager on mobile apps, retail casinos/sportsbooks, and racetracks.

Kansas State Black SilhouetteKansas Sports Betting

Kansas sports betting launched in September 2022 after being signed into law in July 2022. Retail and online sports betting are available, and all of the top sportsbooks, like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM, are available here.

Nebraska State Black Silhouette Nebraska Sports Betting

As of May 2024, Nebraska sports betting is confined to retail-only, and a date for an online launch is unclear. In April, FanDuel and DraftKings declined to fund a petition to put sports betting on the ballot in the state.

Wisconsin State Black SilhouetteWisconsin Sports Betting

Sports betting in Wisconsin is available, but it came so in an interesting way. In this state, federally recognized Native American tribes can make agreements with the state to offer sports betting. In April 2024, a new agreement was approved between the state of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. You can only wager online while on reservation lands or when you’re on-site of an associated property.

Are Online Casinos Legal in Iowa?

There are no Iowa Online casinos or poker sites, as these gaming modes aren’t yet legal. There are more than a dozen retail casinos. While there are retail casinos, there don’t appear to be any immediate plans for Iowa online gambling to launch at any time soon.

IA Sports Betting FAQ:

Is online sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes. Online sports betting has been legal in Iowa since August 2019.

Can I bet on sports online in Iowa?

Yes. As of August 15, 2019, you can wager on sports online in Iowa.

Where can I bet on sports in Iowa?

There are numerous online sportsbooks in Iowa, including FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM, and more.

How old do I have to be to bet on sports in Iowa?

To bet on sports in Iowa, you must be 21 or older.

Do I have to be an Iowa resident to make a bet?

To bet on sports in Iowa, you need to be located within the state's borders —you don’t need to be a resident.

How do I deposit at an Iowa sportsbook?

To deposit at an Iowa online sports betting site, start by creating an account. After that, go to the homepage and look to the top right. There, you’ll find a link to make a deposit.

What are IA sports betting tax rates?

North Carolina sportsbooks are taxed at 6.75%.

What types of sports bets can I bet on in Iowa?

In Iowa, you can bet on numerous sports, including football, baseball, hockey, soccer, and basketball.

What are Iowa sports gambling tax rates?

The income tax in Iowa is between 4.4% and 5.7%.

Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Iowa?

Yes, DFS is legal in Iowa.

Is live betting available in Iowa?

Yes, live betting is available in Iowa across most legal sportsbooks.

Is DraftKings legal in Iowa?

DraftKings launched in Iowa on February 19, 2020.

Is FanDuel legal in Iowa?

FanDuel launched in Iowa on September 9, 2020.

Is betting on the NFL legal in Iowa?

Yes, you can bet on the NFL legally in Iowa.