Each state has the power to legalize sports betting due to the Supreme Court overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. This decision was made in May of 2018. Since then New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Montana, Indiana, New Mexico, and now Iowa have passed legislation regarding sports wagering.
Iowa Sports Betting Bill
Iowa legalized sports betting on May 13th, 2019 becoming the 11th state to do so. After having the bill on her desk for a few weeks, Kim Reynolds finally signed SF 617, bringing legal sports betting to the Hawkeye State. Watch our video or continue reading to learn about Iowa sports betting laws. The first sports bet was taken in Iowa on August 15th, 2019 at noon.
Legal Iowa Sports Betting
Iowa's sports betting law legalizes betting on professional games, as well as college games. The law also allows Daily Fantasy Sports sites to now accept customers from Iowa. The bill allows Iowa gambling boats, racetracks, and casinos to apply for a license to offer sports wagering.
Online sports betting is legal in Iowa. Each casino has the opportunity to apply for two "skins", which means online license. According to theiowacasinos.com, Iowa currently has 20 active casinos. This means there could be up to 40 different online sportsbooks in the state. The table below displays all Iowa casinos, their current sports betting status, and what online operators are partnered with each casino. Keep in mind sports betting will be available as early as July of 2019.
Where Can I Bet On Sports in Iowa?
Sports betting is available at the following locations in Iowa. Some casinos are also accepting mobile applications. Mobile sports betting status will be updated on 8/15/19 or 8/16/19 once information becomes publicly available.
| Name | City | Type of Facility | Sports Betting Status | Mobile Sports Betting Partners | Mobile Sports Betting Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameristar Casino Hotel | Council Bluffs | Riverboat | Open on 8/15/19 | N/A | No |
| Casino Queen | Marquette | Casino | N/A | No | |
| Catfish Bend Casino | Burlington | Casino | Open on 8/15/19 | PointsBet (expected) | No |
| Diamond Jo Casino | Dubuque | Casino | FanDuel (expected) | No | |
| Diamond Jo Casino | Northwood | Casino | FanDuel (expected) | No | |
| Grand Falls Casino | Larchwood | Casino | Open | Elite Sportsbook | Yes |
| Hard Rock Hotel | Sioux City | Casino | N/A | No | |
| Harrah's Council Bluffs | Council Bluffs | Casino | Caesars & DraftKings (expected) | No | |
| Horseshoe Council Bluffs | Council Bluffs | Casino | N/A | No | |
| Isle Casino | Bettendorf | Riverboat | Open on 8/15/19 | William Hill | Yes |
| Isle Casino | Waterloo | Casino | Open on 8/15/19 | William Hill | Yes |
| Lakeside Casino | Osceola | Riverboat | Open on 8/15/19 | William Hill | Yes |
| Meskwaki Bingo & Casino | Tama | Casino | N/A | No | |
| Prairie Meadows | Altoona | Racetrack & Casino | Open on 8/15/19 | William Hill | Yes |
| Q Casino | Davenport | Riverboat & Racetrack | N/A | No | |
| Riverside Casino | Riverside | Casino | Open on 8/15/19 | Elite Sportsbook | Yes |
| Rhythm City Casino | Davenport | Riverboat | Open on 8/15/19 | Elite Sportsbook | Yes |
| Rhythm City Casino | Riverside | Casino | Open on 8/15/19 | Elite Sportsbook | Yes |
| Wild Rose Casino | Emmetsburg | Casino | N/A | No | |
| Wild Rose Casino | Clinton | Casino | N/A | No | |
| WinnaVegas Casino | Sloan | Casino | N/A | No |
How to Bet Online in Iowa
Before Iowans are able to bet online they will have to register with a licensed casino. The table above tracks available apps, as well as what casinos they are partnered with. To signup for an online sports betting account residents must bring a valid ID that shows they are 21 years of age or older. After January 1, 2021, Iowans will be able to open an account without having to visit a licensed casino. Under the law, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will oversee sports betting. The commission expects sports betting to be up and running in Iowa by the start of the 2019 NFL season. Operators will have to pay a 6.75% state tax on revenue. Of the 6.75%, 0.25% will go to problem gambling organizations.
Are any sports wagers prohibited in Iowa?
Yes, it is illegal to bet on the performance of a collegiate athlete or team that is based in Iowa. It is also illegal to bet on any competition where athletes are under eighteen years of age.
What is Daily Fantasy Sports?
Daily Fantasy Sports, or DFS, is a cross between fantasy football and legalized gambling. On a broad level, DFS contests are a subsection of fantasy sports. Players compete against their friends, or more often complete strangers to build a team of professional athletes under a given salary cap, and try and to outscore their opponents. Daily fantasy sports differ from traditional fantasy sports by having contests that last for an evening or the weekend, as opposed to having the same team for months.
FanDuel and DraftKings are currently the two biggest Daily Fantasy Sports providers.For more information on DFS, read our Daily Fantasy Sports Educational Guide
Other Forms of Gambling in Iowa
With legal sports betting, Iowa should see big tax returns. The Hawkeye State will likely receive customers from South Dakota and Nebraska who drive across state lines to place bets. Nebraska residents already drive over to bet at Iowa casinos, riverboats, and racetracks. Sports betting will give Nebraskans more reason to visit their neighboring state.
Sports wagering aside, let's take a look at other forms of legal Iowa gambling.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Iowa?
No, offshore sportsbooks such as Bovada are not legal in Iowa. Offshore sportsbooks do accept residents of Iowa as clients. With legal sports betting in Iowa, there is no need to bet with a potentially unsafe offshore sportsbook.
Is horse racing legal in Iowa?
Yes, horse racing is legal in Iowa. Residents can bet at racetracks such as Prairie Meadows or Q Casino & Racetrack (greyhound racing). Residents can also bet online at popular sites, such as TwinSpires, or BetAmerica.
Is online poker legal in Iowa?
No, online poker is currently illegal in Iowa.
Does Iowa have an online lottery?
No, the Iowa Lottery does not offer online games.