iowa sports betting

Iowa was one of the first US states to legalize sports betting. After the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) 1992 in May 2018, The Hawkeye State ruled in favor of sports betting in August 2019.

The state first introduced the HF 2448 bill in early 2018, which was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. This change in legislation allowed Iowa to give bettors one of the largest selections of approved sportsbooks in the country.

Betting Conditions in Iowa

  • Sports betting in the state of Iowa is regulated by the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission. They set the rules and statutes that govern the operators.
  • When first launched, Iowa players had to register in person at a retail location. As of 2021, the in-person registration expired, allowing players to now register via their chosen app or website.
  • The state will collect a flat rate of 6.5% tax from the net revenue of all sports betting activity, that’s both retail and online.

In addition to taxation on the sportsbooks, there are also licensing fees that the state collects. A one-off cost of $45,000 is charged per license and an annual renewal fee of $10,000.

Legal Sports Betting Options in Iowa

Every Iowa Casino can legally have two skins for online sports betting.

These apps are available on all up-to-date smartphones and tablets with Android and iOS software.

Sportsbooks in Iowa and their respective casino partners
Casino Sportsbetting Partner
Caesar’s (formally William Hill)
  • Isle Bettendorf
  • Isle Waterloo
  • Lakeside
  • Prairie Meadows
  • Harrah’s Council Bluff
  • Horseshoe Casino
Elite Sportsbook
  • Grand Falls
  • Rhythm City
  • Riverside
Q Sportsbook Q Casino
Pointsbet Catfish Bend
Hard Rock Sportsbook Hard Rock Sioux City
DraftKings Wild Rose Casinos
FanDuel Diamond Jo Dubuque
Betfred Grand Falls
BetRivers Wild Rose Casinos
BetMGM Diamond Jo Worth
theScore Ameristar Casino

Who Regulates Sports Betting in Iowa?

The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission regulates sports betting in Iowa. The commission oversees the state’s licensees’ compliance with local gaming laws and the application process for new operators.

Legal Sportsbooks in Iowa

In Iowa, there are 19 commercial casinos, all of which have opened legal sportsbooks.

The Iowa sportsbooks and their sports betting partners are listed below …

  • Ameristar Casino – Kambi
  • Catfish Bend – PointsBet
  • Casino Queen Marquette – Fubo Sportsbook
  • Isle Bettendorf – Caesars/William Hill
  • Isle Waterloo – Caesars/William Hill
  • Lakeside – Caesars/William Hill
  • Prairie Meadows – Caesars/William Hill
  • Harrah’s – Caesars/William Hill
  • Horseshoe – Caesars/William Hill
  • Q Casino – IGT
  • Rhythm City – Elite, Bet.Works
  • Riverside – Elite, Bet.Works
  • Grand Falls – Elite, Bet.Works, Betfred
  • Hard Rock Sioux City – GIG
  • Diamond Jo Dubuque – FanDuel
  • Diamond Jo Worth – FanDuel
  • Wild Rose Clinton – DraftKings
  • Wild Rose Emmetsburg – DraftKings
  • Wild Rose Jefferson – DraftKings

Mobile Sports Betting Apps in Iowa

New online sports bettors in Iowa initially had to register in person at a retail sportsbook before utilizing their online betting accounts. This was supposed to attract more customers to casinos, but mobile sports betting providers protested that it limited their reach geographically.

The law on mobile sports wagering that required in-person registrations ended on January 1, 2021. Now any new users can register through their preferred sports betting app.

These are the current mobile operators in the state and their commercial casino partners:

Caesars/William Hill

  • Isle Bettendorf
  • Isle Waterloo
  • Lakeside
  • Prairie Meadows
  • Harrah’s Council Bluff
  • Horseshoe Casino

Elite Sportsbook

  • Grand Falls
  • Rhythm City
  • Riverside

Other Mobile Betting Apps in Iowa

  • Q Sportsbook – Q Casino
  • PointsBet – Catfish Bend
  • Hard Rock Sportsbook – Hard Rock Sioux City
  • DraftKing – Wild Rose Casinos
  • FanDuel – Diamond Jo Dubuque
  • Casino Queen Marquette – Fubo Sportsbook
  • Betfred – Grand Falls
  • BetRivers – Wild Rose Casinos
  • BetMGM – Diamond Jo Worth
  • theScore – Ameristar Casino

The Path to Iowa Legalizing Betting

  • May 2018 – The Supreme Court Rules in a 7-2 decision that parts of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act or PASPA was in fact unconstitutional. 
  • April 2019Bill 617 is introduced to the Senate and placed on the Ways and Means calendar.
  • May 2019 – The bill is quickly dealt with, with some minor amendments made, before Governor Stephen John Hill signs in favor on May 13.
  • August 2019 – The first licensed operators go live and sports bets are taken in Iowa.

Iowa Sports Franchises

Iowa has plenty of sports activities within the state lines. You’ll find baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball teams at amateur and college levels.

Basketball: Iowa Wolves

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, this American minor league basketball was initially named Iowa Energy. The Franchise is owned by the Minnesota Timberwolves and plays in the Western Conference in the NBA G League. They’ve managed to win four division titles and even won the NBA G championship in 2011.

There are also plenty of promising-looking college teams that have fed talent to the NBA, including Drake Bulldogs, Iowa State Cyclones, Northern Iowa Panthers, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Simpson Storm.

Hockey: Iowa Wild

Founded in 1994, Iowa Wild plays in the American Hockey League and calls Wells Fargo Arena home. Owned by Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, the team has found form in recent years, finishing 2nd in the central standings in 2020 and 4th in 2021.

Soccer: Des Moines Menace

This well-established soccer team has been around for almost 30 years now after forming in 1994. Their home is the Valley Stadium which has a max capacity of nearly 15,000 fans.


Iowa Sports Betting Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal age to bet In Iowa?

All gamblers must be 21 years old or older to place bets online or at retail sportsbooks.

Is mobile sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, sports betting in Iowa has been legal since August 2019. There are currently over 19 sportsbook apps that you can use to place bets.

Can I bet on college sports in Iowa?

Gamblers can wager on collegiate sports in the United States, but not on events featuring in-state teams or athletes under the age of 18.

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

The legal gambling age requirement in Iowa is 21. This applies to sports betting, poker, slots, table games, etc.