Iowa Sports Betting
Iowa passed its sports betting bill in 2019, and the first bets were placed on August 15, 2019. The state now has a licensed sportsbook in all 19 of its casinos. Below is everything you need to know before getting started with sports betting in Iowa.
Iowa Sports Betting Details
| Start Date | August 15, 2019 |
| Legal Age to Bet | 21 |
| Online/In App Betting | Yes |
| Maximum Bet | No Limit |
| Corresponding Bill | SF 617 |
| Eligible Sportsbooks | Each Iowa casino can partner with up to two sportsbooks. |
Iowa SportsBook Ratings
With a population of just 3.155 million, Iowa is far from the largest state to legalize sports betting in the US. On top of that, there are 19 casinos in the state and all 19 have a licensed sportsbook. Even in a state that loves sports, competition is going to be steep and quality will clearly matter here.
| Sportsbook | Our Grade | Promo Offer | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5Out of 10 | Up to:$1,025Deposit Bonus | Get Offer |
| 9.2Out of 10 | Up to:$1,000Free Bet | Get Offer |
| 7.8Out of 10 | Up to:$250Free Bet | Get Offer |
Iowa Sportsbooks Pandemic Update
Iowa Governer Kim Reynolds announced on May 26, 2020 that all of the state’s casinos, sportsbooks, and amusement parks were eligible to begin reopening. The majority of the sportsbooks in the state have reopened and are following CDC social distancing guidelines. Now we just need sports to return from their hiatus and we would be off to the races again.
Iowa Sportsbooks by Location
As we mentioned in the introduction, Iowa has 19 casinos and at least one sportsbook in each casino. Beyond that, they have big-name apps already active in the state including DraftKings, PointsBet, and William Hill.
| SportsBook | Casino | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Caesars | Harrah’s Council Bluff | 8/23/2019 |
| Caesars | Horseshoe Casino | 8/23/2019 |
| DraftKings | Wild Rose: Clinton | 10/3/2019 |
| DraftKings | Wild Rose: Jefferson | 10/3/2019 |
| DraftKings | Wild Rose: Emmetsburg | 10/3/2019 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Grand Falls | 10/15/2019 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Rhythm City | 10/15/2019 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Riverside | 10/15/2019 |
| FanDuel | Diamond Jo | 8/29/2019 |
| FanDuel | Diamond Jo – Worth | 8/29/2019 |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock Sioux City | 9/20/2019 |
| Penn National | Ameristar | 8/15/2019 |
| PointsBet | Catfish Bend | 8/15/2019 |
| Q Sportsbook | Q Casino | 8/27/2019 |
| William Hill | Isle Bettendorf | 8/15/2019 |
| William Hill | Isle Waterloo | 8/15/2019 |
| William Hill Sportsbook | Lakeside | 8/15/2019 |
| William Hill | Prairie Meadows | 8/15/2019 |
As you can tell from the list above, there is no shortage of betting options for Iowa residents. While we didn’t include FanDuel (currently our top-rated sportsbooks) in our current ratings, online betting is expected to be available through the FanDuel app by the start of the 2020 season.
Iowa Sports Betting FAQ’s
As with every state we have covered, there are some odd rules and regulations that make betting on sports in Iowa unique from anywhere else in the US. Most of these are covered in the frequently asked questions below. Feel free to contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed below.
Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
Yes, as of August 15, 2019 sports betting is legal at any Iowa Casino/Sportsbook or their website/app.
Is online sports betting legal in Iowa?
Yes, you can bet on either the website or app for any sportsbook associated with a casino in Iowa. Each casino can partner with up two sportsbooks, which means the residents of Iowa could eventually have as many as 30 different sports betting apps to choose from!
What sports can I bet on in Iowa?
Unlike other states to pass registration over the past year, Iowa chose to not allow gamblers to bet on college or amateur sports in their state. This protects what is arguably the state’s two biggest teams: the Hawkeyes and Cyclones.
Is live betting available in Iowa?
Yes, live betting is available in Iowa. What sports and events you are actually able to bet live on depends on the website/app you are using. With DraftKings and PointsBet you can bet live on every professional game.
How do deposits and withdrawals work with online sportsbooks?
How deposits and withdrawals work will depend on the operator you are betting with. Most will allow you to make deposits and withdrawals through Visa/Mastercard and checking, or in cash if you are able to get into the actual brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
