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Iowa online sports betting laws

Iowa is one of the states that moved swiftly to legalize sports betting in 2019. Iowa sports betting numbers have risen ever since, with four successive record handle months to finish 2020. And with bettors able to register remotely starting in January 2021, the new year started off with a new single-month record handle of $149.52 million.

Written by OnlineBetting.com staff.

Fact Checked
Jennifer Gaynor Bio

Jennifer Gaynor

Administrative law and government relations attorney

Jennifer has a degree in Journalism from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C, in 2005. She's been living in Las Vegas helping clients in the casino and gaming industry, as well as other regulated businesses, across Nevada for over 15 years.

She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and books on US gaming law, including most recently,  The Law of Regulated Gambling: A Practical Guide for Business Lawyers , American Bar Association (2020), and  That (Expletive) Broad: Women Who Broke Barriers in the Casino and Gaming Industry (2020) .

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in Iowa since a new law was passed at a rapid pace in 2019.

Is online sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, online sports betting enthusiasts in Iowa have been allowed to wager on top sporting action since 2019.

How old do I have to be to place a bet in Iowa?

You cannot take part in sports betting of any kind in Iowa if you are not 21 or over.

How do I start betting in Iowa?

  1. Select a sportsbook where you want to open an account.

  2. Sign up as a customer by registering. Since January 2021, you can register online, so long as you are within state lines. You’ll need to give your personal information such as name, address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

  3. Deposit funds in your account using one of the methods approved in Iowa.

  4. Make sure you take advantage of any welcome bonus as a new customer.

  5. Start betting.

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?

Iowa legalizes online sports betting
Remote registration and geolocation
Online sports betting licenses
Are Iowa gambling winnings taxable?

Who is allowed to bet on sports In Iowa?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet in Iowa
You must be in Iowa to bet
Restrictions apply to certain sports employees

What can’t I bet on in Iowa?

Esports
Politics
Minor league or high school sporting events

Daily Fantasy Sports in Iowa

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) were legalized in Iowa at the same time as regular sports betting in May 2019.

However, it was a few months before the two biggest operators in DFS – DraftKings – cleared the regulatory hurdles needed to be able to serve the Hawkeye State.

Fans in Iowa can now enjoy DFS on a wide variety of sports, including the traditional favorites – football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.

Top sports to bet on in Iowa

The fact that there are no professional major league sports teams based in Iowa doesn’t lessen the enthusiasm of its residents for sport. And for betting on it. Increasing turnover numbers suggest the people of the state are as keen as anyone to enjoy wagering on top-level sport across the US and beyond.

Football

Iowa has no pro football teams – but it is home to no fewer than four Division 1 college outfits, including the Drake Bulldogs, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones and Northern Iowa Panthers. There is always plenty of interest in the NCAA action at Iowa betting sites.

Responsible gambling in Iowa

It’s no surprise, given how recently sports betting was officially frowned on in Iowa, that responsible gaming and gambling is a subject taken very seriously in the state.

All Iowa online sports betting sites carry a “responsible gambling” badge on every page. Several other measures have been put in place to ensure that people enjoy Iowa sports betting responsibly.

All sports books offer way in which bettors can limit their play, including:

  • Account cool-off

  • Deposit limits

  • Wager limits

  • Session time limits

  • Loss limits

  • Self-exclusion

Furthermore, there is also a broad selection of services and local organizations available for those struggling with gambling addiction, including:

  • Gamblers Anonymous: A listing of dozens of GA meetings in the Iowa area.

  • Council on Compulsive Gambling : A private, nonprofit group which works to educate and assist compulsive gamblers. Bettors can complete their short survey to see if they are at risk and/or call 1-800-Gambler 24/7 if you need immediate help.

  • Iowa Department of Health : An integrated provider network, that offers problem gambling prevention and education services which reaches all 99 counties in Iowa.

  • National Council on Problem Gambling : the NCPG develops policy and programs to combat and treat compulsive gambling. They have a national problem gambling helpline, and moderated support forums and groups.

Timeline of sports betting in Iowa

2019 - May

The bill to legalize Iowa sports betting is passed by the state.

2019 - August

Retail and online betting goes live, with William Hill and Elite Sportsbook launching in the state.

2019 - November

PointsBet and Q Sportsbook launch in Iowa.

2020 - February

DraftKings launches in Iowa at three Wild Rose locations.

2021 - January

Online registration for sports betting is introduced, making it far easier to sign up.

Where can you bet in Iowa?

A full up-to-date list can be found here .

Casino/Retail SportsbookRetail Sportsbook PartnerAddressOnline Sportsbook Partner
Ameristar Casino Council BluffsAmerisports2200 River Road, Council Bluffs IA 51501theScoreBet
Catfish BendPointsBet3001 Winegard Drive, Burlington IA 52601PointsBet
Diamond Jo CasinoBetFair Sportsbook301 Bell Street, Dubuque IA 52001Betfair
Diamond Jo WorthBetfair Sportsbook777 Diamond Jo Lane, Northwood IA 50459BetMGM
Grand Falls Casino ResortBetfred1415 Grand Falls Boulevard, Larchwood IA 51241Betfred
Hard Rock Hotel and CasinoHard Rock Sportsbook111 3rd Street, Sioux City IA 51101Hard Rock Sportsbook
Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino & HotelWilliam Hill1 Harrah’s Boulevard, Council Bluffs IA 51501William Hill
Horseshoe Casino Council BluffsWilliam Hill2701 23rd Avenue, Council Bluffs IA 51501William Hill
Isle Casino Hotel WaterlooWilliam Hill777 Isle of Capri Boulevard, Waterloo IA 50701William Hill
Isle of Capri - BettendorfWilliam Hill1800 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf IA 52722William Hill
Lakeside Hotel CasinoWilliam Hill777 Casino Drive, Osceola IA 50213William Hill
Prairie Meadows Racetrack & CasinoWilliam Hill1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona IA 50009William Hill
Q CasinoDubuque Racing Association – Q Sportsbook1855 Greyhound Park Road, Dubuque IA 52001Dubuque Racing Association – Q Sportsbook
Rhythm City CasinoElite Sportsbook7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport IA 52807Elite Sportsbook
Riverside Casino and Golf Resort LLCElite Sportsbook3184 Highway 22, Riverside IA 52327Elite Sportsbook
Wild Rose Casino & Resorts ClintonDraftKings Sportsbook777 Wild Rose Drive, Clinton IA 52732DraftKings, BetRivers
Wild Rose Casino & Resorts EmmetsburgDraftKings Sportsbook777 Main Street, Emmetsburg IA 50536DraftKings
Wild Rose Casino & Resorts JeffersonDraftKings Sportsbook777 Wild Rose Drive, Jefferson IA 50129DraftKings, BetRivers

Iowa betting FAQs

Can you bet online in Iowa?
Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
Which is the most trusted betting site?
Is DraftKings legal in Iowa?