Online Gambling Iowa – Complete Guide for Legal Apps and Sites with Top Bonus & Promo Offers
Iowa has a little way to go before it becomes a fully fledged member of the online gambling USA scene, since at the moment it’s only legal to enjoy online sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Online sportsbooks were welcomed in 2019 and there are a wide array to choose from when you want to wager on your favorite events. However, online casinos and online poker rooms are currently restricted by the law.
Iowa’s access to the Mississippi River is responsible for the state’s relaxed attitude to gambling and it’s a cultural legacy in the state. The Hawkeye State is home to 24 licensed casinos in 19 different cities. On the water, you’ve got riverboat gambling cruises departing daily. Gaming is big business and produces more than $18 billion in revenue. It also supplies the state with more than 18,000 jobs and generates hundreds of millions of dollars of tax revenue.
If you want to know more about your online gambling Iowa options, this How To Bet guide is what you need. We’ll look at the history of online gambling Iowa and examine its sportsbooks in more detail. In addition, we’ll look at some of the ways you can benefit from the best betting offers, bonuses and promotions Iowa sportsbooks have to offer.
Iowa is home to several types of legal gambling, however, most are land-based forms. Online gambling in the Hawkeye State is still, by and large, a forbidden practice, excluding online sports betting.
Online casino gambling is expressly prohibited by Iowa state law. It appears that state lawmakers are focusing their attention on sports betting, at least for the present time. If an Iowan really wants to play online casino games, the online option is to visit sweepstakes casino sites and social casino sites. The main sweepstakes online casino site is Funzpoints. The two main social online casino sites are Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. These sites use a unique dual-currency business model in order to stay in compliance with state law. These systems take a little getting used to, but apart from that there’s not much difference between these sites and true online casinos.
The one bit of online gambling that’s accessible to Iowans is online sports betting. It became legal in the Hawkeye State in 2019, along with horse racing wagering, and you can easily find a legal and reputable online sportsbook in the Hawkeye State. Additionally, bettors can play Daily Fantasy Sports without breaking the law.
Iowa Online Gambling Revenue
Sports fans weren’t the only ones cheating when sports betting was legalized. The Iowa Senate also raised their glasses for the increased tax revenue that will help balance the state’s books. Both retail and online sports betting contribute to the bottom line in Iowa, thanks to the state’s 6.75% tax rates on sports bets. It is already bringing in millions of dollars for the state.
As part of the regulation of sports betting, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission releases a monthly report on how each online and retail sportsbook performed. The reports include the amount of money wagered (the handle), what was bet online versus a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, and how much revenue those books produced.
Here are some key figures forIowa sports betting industry’s key financial figures for March 2022:
Total handle: $233,525,474
Revenue: $14,411,046
Hold percentage: 6.2%
State tax revenue: $972,991
According to figures published in The Gazette, an average of $9.6 million a day is bet on sports. The amount the players in Iowa spent on sports betting in March was up 44.7% year-on-year.
Complete List of Legal Online Gambling Iowa Sites and Apps
Iowa players don’t get to enjoy as many gambling opportunities as some other states, but there is a full selection of sportsbooks to choose from.
Legal Online Casinos in Iowa
Online casinos are not yet legal in Iowa, however, there is the option of playing casino games at sweepstakes sites.
The fact that legislators have made sports betting legal does leave poker players with some hope, but for now, the only way to play poker online is at sites that operate under US sweepstakes laws. Global Poker is one such poker site.
You can play what is essentially real money online poker tournaments and ring games on Global Poker, thanks to the sweepstakes model the site employs. This model dictates that Global operates as a sweepstakes content rather than a cash poker site. This is achieved by using two types of virtual currency. You can play with Gold Coins that have no real cash value or with Sweeps Coins. Players are given these for free when they purchase Gold Coins. You can also win them on social media or write a request for Sweeps Coins to the Global Poker office.
Which Operators are Best for Each Type of Online Gambling Iowa
As you can see, there’s a wide selection of sportsbooks for you to choose from, but we’d like to present our How To Bet selection of those we consider the best betting sites and apps. To ensure they cut the mustard, we put them through a series of tests before coming up with those that passed with flying colors.
The Best Iowa Online Sports Gambling Websites and Apps
Try not to feel too disappointed that sports betting is your only online gambling Iowa option because this sector of the market has a lot to offer. If you’d like to know more about some of the other IA sports betting operators, the How To Bet website has a good selection of online reviews you can read.
BetRivers Sportsbook IA
In Iowa, BetRivers has partnered with Wild Rose Casino in order to operate and offer online betting in the state. BetRivers offers a very generous welcome package and also boasts one of the best loyalty programs in the US market.
DraftKings has become a go-to spot for scores of online sports bettors in Iowa. The DraftKings app is very slick with all the bells and whistles. One of the top attractions is the live betting experience. Odds and lines are constantly updating while winning wagers are paid out in a flash.
Caesars Sportsbook comes with all the experience of decades of betting in legal markets. You can access the app on mobile or bet via your computer browser. Either way, bets are available on all the popular leagues along with live betting, a slate of promos and bonuses, and an easy-to-navigate app.
With the BetMGM sportsbook app you can take advantage of the MGM’s rewards program. Any points you earn can be redeemed at MGM properties around the US. BetMGM also offers sports gambling fans a leading array of sports to be on, including lesser known sports such as cricket, rugby, and even the Canadian Football league.
PointsBet is a very popular online sportsbook in North America and is slowly gaining market share in the US. It came to Iowa in January 2021 as the online skin of the Catfish Bend Casino. PointBet has some tasty new customer promotions and an above-average user experience that will ensure a place in the hearts of Iowa sports bettors.
Which Sports Can You Bet on Online in Iowa
Iowa is a big college sports state. When sports betting, local fans will place plenty of wagers backing the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones. However, it should be noted that Iowa sports betting rules only allow pregame wagering on college sports involving teams from the Hawkeye State. Bets such as props and in-play wagers on local sports teams are prohibited.
Local pro teams include the Iowa cubs, the Triple-A farm club of the Chicago Cubs and a number of teams in baseball’s low minor leagues.
In Iowa you can bet on all the major leagues, both in the US and abroad, as well as college sports and more.
Payouts and Odds at Online Gambling Iowa Sites and Apps
If you’re not sure which of your online gambling Iowa options are best for you, odds provide an objective outlook on the matter.
Average payouts for sports will fluctuate, so keep in mind that they change regularly. Sportsbooks use profit margins to determine the operator’s advantage.
In the table below, there are some examples of the most interesting markets you can bet on, as well as their average rates in Iowa.
Sport
Payout
Soccer
90.53% – 93.65%
Basketball
92.01% – 93.55%
Cricket
93.34% – 94.15%
MMA
95.47% – 95.76%
Table Tennis
89.70% – 91.66%
Tennis
91.70% – 93.32%
Online Gambling in Iowa in Comparison With Other States
In Iowa, you can enjoy a wide selection of gambling options at physical locations, but unfortunately for now, the only legal online options are sports betting, horse racing, and Daily Fantasy sports betting. This is something the state has in common with many others. Whereas Michigan and New Jersey allow all forms of online gambling including casino gambling and poker rooms.
Benefits of Legal Iowa Online Gambling over In-Person Gambling
Online gambling Iowa options are a little limited in the Hawkeye State, but its sports betting market does have many benefits which have to be taken into account.
Let’s compare the two options further in this table:
Online gambling Iowa
Land-based gambling IA
Access to multiple operators
Unique atmosphere
Ease of use
Excellent customer service
Exciting welcome offers
Live interaction with dealers
Doesn’t require a physical presence
You can enter various events
Mobile device access is possible
Exciting VIP perks and entertainment
How to Pick the Best Online Gambling Iowa Site or App
How To Bet does all the leg work for you when it comes to examining Iowa sportsbooks and only recommends the best operators so that you can enjoy the best online gambling Iowa experience possible. We base our selections on the following:
Security: Your security is a priority so we make sure our recommended sites and apps have strong security measures in place. There are some things you can do as well to further protect yourself, such as making sure your password is not generic, and being careful that the internet connection you use is not public. In addition, look for the small padlock at the top left of the browser.
Bonus offers: We like to see sites that offer a number of bonus and promo options.
Multiple game options: A broad range of gaming options makes a massive difference to your gaming experience.
Software: Great software is vital if you’re going to have a good time. All of the best online gambing Iowa sites and apps should have the best software.
Payment options: Operators should provide a range of secure choices for both deposits and withdrawals.
Licensing and regulation: We only ever recommend online gambling Iowa apps and sites that are licensed and regulated by a respected and trustworthy regulator. In the case of the Hawkeye State, this is the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
How to Start Your Iowa Online Gambling Journey
If you’re a newbie to the online gambling Iowa scene, there are a few steps you need to take, regardless of what sports you choose to place online. It’s a very simple process, but it’s crucial you make the right choices every step of the way.
Select a gambling product: Choose what type of sports you want to bet on.
Ensure the platform is secure: Check that your chosen online gambling Iowa site is safe, secure, and licensed by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Create an account: Create an account by completing the operator's registration process.
Check for welcome bonuses: Check if the operator offers a welcome bonus to its new players and use it to your advantage.
Choose a payment method: Make a deposit using one of the operator’s safe and convenient payment methods.
Follow these five steps correctly and you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle.
Benefit from Free Bets, Promos and Bonus Codes in Iowa
Each one of our How To Bet recommended online gambling Iowa sites offers an exciting free bet, promo, or bonus code that is sure to motivate you to sign up and gamble some more. You can regularly check our Free IA Bets and Promo Codes page for constant updates of bonuses and promotions from online sportsbooks in the Hawkeye State.
Of course, it’s important that you make yourself aware of the specific terms and conditions attached to each offer and bonus code so that you avoid any misunderstanding and unnecessary financial loss. The most important factors to consider include wagering requirements, expiry periods, and game contributions.
Responsible Online Gambling in Iowa
It is often a legal requirement that sports betting sites have a responsible gambling policy in place. There is no self-exclusion for all the sportsbooks. Instead, individual books will give you access to a suite of tools to manage your betting or let you self-exclude from that particular sportsbook.
The elements of a responsible gambling policy at Iowa online sportsbooks include:
Self-Assessment Questionnaire: If you are concerned that you have a gambling problem, though you are not sure, then a questionnaire will highlight any issues. You will find an example below.
Links to Treatment/Assistance Organizations: Website and phone links to agencies to discuss any issues. These include both local and national charities. Note that you don’t need to be the one with the problem to call a helpline. If you have concerns about someone else, you can call up and get advice.
Limit Your Betting Tools: These vary depending on the sportsbook. You will be able to control the amount you can bet (for fixed durations like days, weeks, months) and the amount you can deposit. Timed playing is also possible, though that works better for poker games and casinos than for sportsbooks.
Time Out: These tools let you take a short break between one day and one month. This timeout can be helpful if you find yourself chasing losses or need a temporary break from the site. Timeouts will expire automatically.
Self-Exclusion: This is for more extended periods away. Generally lasting between one and five years, this is a semi permanent self-ban that you will not be able to revoke. Self-exclusion does not expire automatically, though. Once the period is over, you will need to get in touch with the site and request to reinstate your account. You will be required to withdraw any funds left in your account before self-excluding.
In addition, there are also a number of organizations that can help if you think you might be struggling with gambling addiction.
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission: The IRGC provides detailed information on its self-exclusion program. Many resources are linked from this page, including information from the Iowa Department of Public Health, which focuses on treatment providers and professionals.
Online Gambling Iowa FAQ
Can you gamble online in Iowa?
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Yes, you can and you don’t have to be a IA resident either.
Is online gambling in Iowa legal?
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Yes, it most certainly is and has been since 2019. Casino games and poker are not legal to play in the state but you can enjoy sports betting.
Do I need to be in Iowa to open an online gambling Iowa account?
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No, you don’t and you can log in outside of Iowa borders. However, you must be physically located inside of Iowa state lines to place bets at online gambling Iowa sites.
Is it safe to play at IA gambling sites?
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How To Bet only features online gambling Iowa sites and apps that are licensed by the state.
Who is allowed to play for real money on online gambling Iowa sites?
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Only those 21+ years of age who are physically inside the borders of Iowa may gamble for real money at online gambling Iowa sites. You do not need to be a resident to play and can do so even if you are just visiting. To ensure players are inside the state, operators use geolocation software to verify a player's location.
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