IA betting sites

Sports betting is officially allowed in Iowa. The state legalized wagering as of May 2019 and went live in August 2019. Retail and state-licensed online sportsbooks are already accepting bets, just in time for the new football season. On top of all of this, the sports betting bill has also legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) as well. Sites like FanDuel and DraftKings are already available for Iowa players. Looking for the best Iowa betting sites?

DraftKings Sportsbook

4.7/5
  • Tournaments with huge payouts
  • Free contests to practice
  • Brand reputation
  • Sports betting & Casino gaming
  • Complex rewards system
Welcome Bonus Up To $1,000 in Funds
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BetRivers Sportsbook

4.3/5
  • Legal in many states.
  • Only 1x wagering requirement.
  • Live betting on major sports.
  • No Neteller and Skrill support.
Up To $500 2nd Chance Bet
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PointsBet Sportsbook

4.3/5
  • Trusted operator in the US
  • App for iOS and Android devices
  • Plenty of casinos games
  • Easy site navigation
  • Can lose more than the initial wager
10 x $100 Second Chance Bets
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FanDuel Sportsbook

4.4/5
  • Bet on over 17 sports
  • Same game parlays
  • Cash out option
  • In-Game Betting
  • Promos not that regular
  • App can freeze occasionally
No Sweat First Bet Up To $1,000
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Caesars Sportsbook

4.4/5
  • In Play betting
  • Easy parlays
  • Bet on every sport
  • Trusted industry name
  • Slow withdrawals
  • Cash rewards take time to earn
$1,000 First Bet on Caesars
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BetMGM Sportsbook

4.5/5
  • Sportsbook & Casino
  • User-friendly website and mobile app
  • Amazing for parlays
  • Huge range of markets
  • Slow withdrawals
  • Low max bets on odds boosts
First Bet Offer Up To $1,500 In Bonus Bets
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Iowa Online Betting Sites

Retail sportsbooks and mobile betting sites are legal in Iowa thanks to a law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds in May 2019. Iowa is the 11th US state to legalize sports betting joining the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania as a region where regulated, legal sports betting is a reality.

Only people who are 21 years and older can place their sports bets in the Hawkeye State. In-person registration is required before placing wagers online. This means you must visit the casino partnered with the mobile betting provider before placing wagers online.

There are 19 Iowa brick-and-mortar casinos in the Hawkeye State, and they are allowed to partner with two different sportsbook operators, meaning that there can be a total of 38 land-based and online sportsbooks available.

Here is the list of Legal Iowa Sports Betting websites that are operating now:

Caesars Sportsbook

William Hill Mobile was the first to launch in Iowa thanks to its partnership with Prairie Meadows, Lakeside Casino, and Isle Casino. In April 2021, Caesars Entertainment Inc. acquired William Hill, the third-largest sportsbook in the US.

Caesars online sportsbook offers a bet of up to $1,250 on Caesars for new customers. Use the promo code SALOONRF. This promotion is only valid for wagering available within the State of Iowa via the Caesars website or mobile app.

Existing customers can take advantage of many other promotions that change frequently, and also the excellent Caesars Rewards program. Caesars players can enjoy these promotions by betting in Iowa on major sports leagues like MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, and other major events. Caesars is one of the best Iowa sports betting apps available.

PointsBet Sportsbook

PointsBet was among the early movers with its retail sportsbook at Catfish Bend Casino opening in August 2019. Recently, during the Thanksgiving weekend, PointsBet made an announcement to offer online and mobile sports betting for Iowa residents. In addition to the traditional sports betting option, PointsBet is well-known for offering Spread Betting – “the more you are right, the more you win”.

PointsBet is offering up to $2000 in risk-free bets for new customers. You can claim this bonus in 2 parts. Get up to a $500 refund in free bets if your 1st Fixed Odds bet loses. Similarly, get up to a $1,500 refund in free bets if your 1st PointsBetting bet loses.

In addition to the risk-free bets, PointsBet also offers exclusive promotions for NBA, NFL, and NHL games with exciting spreads and the biggest parlay.

FanDuel Sportsbook

In September 2020, Flutter Entertainment-owned FanDuel Group has announced the launch of its online and mobile sportsbook in Iowa, through its partnership with Boyd Gaming.  The launch of the FanDuel online sportsbook comes almost a year after the launch of FanDuel land-based betting operations in the state on 29 August 2019. The US market leader has retail sports betting presence at Diamond Jo Casino in  Dubuque and Northwood.

Sports bettors in Iowa can download the FanDuel Sportsbook app on Android and iOS devices, or online via a desktop browser.

FanDuel’s online and mobile sportsbooks operate via the PlaySports platform from International Game Technology (IGT). Iowans can create a new FanDuel sportsbook account and place the first real-money wager. If you don’t win, FanDuel Sportsbook will refund you up to $1,000 in site credits.

BetMGM Sportsbook

BetMGM made a partnership with Diamond Joe Casino, a high-energy casino in Dubuque’s historic downtown district. The market-leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company – BetMGM debuted its mobile betting operations in Iowa on January 4, 2020. BetMGM becomes the second online-only operator in Iowa and also the second to go live in 2021, following the launch of BetRivers on January 1, 2020.

The BetMGM Iowa launch marks the eighth state in which BetMGM’s app is available, joining Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Players can take advantage of BetMGM’s user-friendly sports betting experience, where it is pretty easy to customize pre-game and live in-play sports bets, as well as futures and parlay wagers. For new customers, BetMGM sportsbook offers a risk-free bet of up to $1000 paid in free bets. No bonus code is needed.

BetRivers Sportsbook

BetRivers Iowa is now live. Illinois-based Rush Street Interactive, one of the most trusted and fastest-growing online casino and sports betting gaming companies in the United States, launched its five-star service BetRivers sportsbook in Iowa. The launch is entirely digital, as players will be able to deposit funds and place bets on their mobile devices and computers without having to visit a retail sportsbook.

Iowa is the 5th state where BetRivers sportsbook is live, joining Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.

BetRivers offers a first deposit match bonus for new players in Iowa. All you need to do is use the promo code ‘250MATCH’ while making the first deposit, and you’ll receive a 100% match up to $250 in Bonus Money.

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings brings its top-rated online sportsbook to Iowa. In fact, it becomes Iowa’s fifth official online sportsbook. DraftKings also operates in New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. To launch in Iowa, DraftKings made a deal with Wild Rose Casino & Resorts. Players in Iowa can experience a top-class betting platform – powered by Kambi.

DraftKings sportsbook offers a sign-up bonus of up to $1000. This bonus is awarded as a combination of a risk-free bet of up to $500 and a deposit bonus of up to $500. However, there are certain wagering requirements.

DraftKings Iowa sports betting app is available for both iOS and Android Devices. To place wagers, DraftKings Iowa players need to register online and in person at Wild Rose Casino & Resort. This is to ensure that the player is within the state borders.

Q Sportsbook

Q Sportsbook is the official mobile betting app of Q Casino and Hotel in Dubuque, Iowa. Along with William Hill, the retail sportsbook at Q Casino is up and running since August 2019. Later, its mobile app is launched. The mobile app is easy to use and offers instant deposits along with pre-game and in-game betting options. Indeed, IGT powers the Q sportsbook app software.

Whereas, the only drawback is the Q sportsbook doesn’t offer any welcome bonus (deposit match or otherwise) or any ongoing promotions.

Elite Sportsbook

Elite Sportsbook Iowa is operated in partnership with three local casinos – Grand Falls Casino Resort, Rhythm City Casino Resort, and Riverside Casino Resort. Iowa players who’d like to place wagers on Elite Sportsbook or through its mobile app must first visit one of these casinos to register an account. Certainly, Bet.Works powers the Elite Sportsbook website and mobile app.

Elite Sportsbook supports a standard assortment of pregame wagers such as game props, money lines, player props, point spreads, team props, and totals. This betting site also supports parlays, teasers, early cashout, and in-play wagering. Unfortunately, Elite Sportsbook doesn’t offer any bonus or promotion as of today.

Hard Rock Sportsbook

Hard Rock is one of the most well-known brand names in the world when it comes to the casino industry and the sports betting industry. Certainly, it is a part of the rapid expansion of Iowa’s wagering space. Hard Rock Sportsbook is the best choice for Iowa residents who like to combine sports betting with casino gaming.

New players can take advantage of the risk-free first bet of up to $100. Meaning if you place your first bet of $100 or greater, Hard Rock will give you $100 in cash if your first bet is a loser to essentially eliminate the risk associated with your first wager.

Other new notable additions to the Iowa online sports betting industry include Bally Bet and the Barstool Sportsbook.

Iowa Land-Based Sportsbooks

All of Iowa’s 19 state-licensed casinos have acquired sports betting permits. Therefore, you can bet at any of these state-licensed casinos. Here is a list of sportsbooks/casino that has opened up in Iowa:

Top IA Betting Apps

As of now, there are a dozen Iowa sports betting sites. However, we expect the Iowa sports betting market to grow from here. We review all these betting apps and bring you the best operators among them. While reviewing, we consider many features, including the availability of the sports betting app, licensing, highest-paying bonus offers, low wagering requirements, available markets, odds, payment options, and customer support.

You have the luxury of comparing and contrasting each one to see who is the best sports betting site. Here are the best betting sites in Iowa:

How To Place A Sports Bet In Iowa

You can place sports wagers on online and retail Iowa sportsbooks. Placing a bet is a straightforward process. Let us look at how to place an online sports bet in Iowa:

Choose an IA Sportsbook

The first step is to select an online sportsbook. From the list of sites to offer sports betting apps at the top of the page, choose an online sportsbook that works best for you balancing the available sportsbook bonus features with the available betting market. Top gambling sites in the US – FanDuel, PointsBet, or WilliamHill are top choices.

Sign-up and Deposit

As of Jan. 1, 2020, Iowa bettors need not visit a casino to register for an online sportsbook account. Meaning, you can complete the registration process online. Fill in all the required details while creating a new account with the sportsbook of your choice. You’d need to enter your full name, date of birth, email, address, phone number, and create a username & password. The sportsbook might also ask for your social security number or driver’s license to verify your identity. Don’t forget to enter a promo code if available.

As soon as you create an account, you will need to deposit money into your account. Players can use any of the available payment options available. Some betting sites offer bonuses just for creating a new account such as a no-deposit free-bets or bonus on the initial deposit (or deposit match).

Verify Your Location

You need not be present within the state of Iowa while creating an account or depositing money into your online sportsbook account. However, the Iowa sports betting law requires the sports bettors to be present within the state borders of Iowa while placing a real-money sports wager. All Iowa sportsbook apps use the Geo-Location software to verify the bettor’s location.

Place Your Bet

This is the final step. Once you deposit money into your account, you can place a bet on in Iowa. All you need to do is navigate to the sport, click the line you’d like to bet, enter your bet amount, and submit your bet.

To increase the chance of winnings, check our expert picks on all major sports and leagues.

Payment Methods Accepted By Iowa Betting Sites

All legal online Iowa sportsbooks offer various banking options. Here are some of the most common deposit and withdrawal options:

Iowa Betting Law and Restrictions

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the sports betting bill into law on May 15, 2019. In fact, the bill set out a licensing framework for both retail and online sportsbooks in Iowa. All of Iowa’s riverboat and land-based casinos can apply for more than one sports betting license.

Betting on Horse Racing and Daily Fantasy Sports are also legal. For all three forms of online betting, Iowa law requires operators to hold appropriate licenses and conform to various consumer protection regulations.

The newly legalized sports betting in Iowa is overseen by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The Senate bill not only legalized sports wagering in the state of Iowa but also set in place the rules needed to govern and tax the new activity.

The above Iowa sports betting rules must be adhered to by every operator in the state.

State Of The Union

Although every state has different gambling laws, U.S. betting sites are picking up the pace, and Nevada was the pioneer of regulated US online gambling but only offers the chance to play poker. Now bettors can safely access betting apps and websites from regulated, U.S.-based bookmakers in the following states:

NJ Betting Sites: New Jersey is currently the largest market for regulated online gambling in the US.

PA Betting Sites: Pennsylvania is the biggest state to legalize and regulate online gambling.

WV Betting Sites: West Virginia is one of the first states to unroll sports betting in the wake of the US Supreme Court decision.

IA Betting Sites: Iowa legalized wagering as of May 2019 and went live in August 2019. Many important US sportsbooks are already up and running.

IN Betting Sites: Indiana betting sites are active since October 2019 after Gov. Mike Pence signed Bill S 335 into law.

CO Betting Sites: Colorado sports betting is legal and live as of May 1, 2020. Residents may participate in online sports betting, horse racing betting, greyhound betting, daily fantasy sports, and skill games.

TN Betting Sites: Tennessee sports wagering was legalized in 2019 after the Tennessee legislature approved a sports betting bill. Online sports betting went live on November 1, 2020.

How Iowa Sports Betting Compares

In recent days, gambling in Iowa has had rapid growth with the launch of new sports betting sites. In fact, the state has almost reached a $100 million monthly handle at the end of 2019 and is expected to cross that in the coming months. The Iowa state’s approval of easy online registration will attract national and local betting sites for generating more revenue to Iowa’s per capita markets. Here is how Iowa sports betting compares with the rest of the US states:

Mobile Betting Options

Mobile sports betting is legal and live in Iowa with no need for in-person registration to create an online sports betting account. There are diverse betting options for bettors with mobile apps like PointsBet, FanDuel, and BetMGM are available. In addition, local brands like Elite Sportsbook, Q Sportsbook, and Hard Rock Sioux City Sportsbook are available so you can bet on sports easily too.

Deposit Options

Iowa sports betting sites offer multiple banking options to fund your account. All popular banking options such as credit/debit card, prepaid card, and e-Wallet such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are available. With these options, it is easy to deposit and also fast to get your cashback. Some of the sportsbook apps offer deposit bonus promotions for new bettors.

Fair Pricing

The tax rate and licensing fee are low in Iowa, and hence diverse sportsbook options are available. Iowa sports betting sites not only offer an attractive bonuses and promotions but also spread unfavorable lines – which could increase your win rate. Due to the competitive market, sports betting sites such as William Hill and PointsBet offers standard and better lines for bettors. Iowa is slowly adding more sportsbooks to the market, which will definitely allow you to line shop more productively.

Market Offerings

Iowa sports betting sites offer a huge array of betting types such as money line, parlay, totals, point spread, teasers, and pleasers on a wide range of sports. In addition, most of the betting sites offer a healthy selection of prop bets, live betting opportunities, and other creative specials. Some betting sites in Iowa go a step beyond by offering totally unique wagering types you will not find available elsewhere.

You can bet on popular leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, and not just sports in Iowa.  Top betting sites offer bets on thousands of sporting events. The only limit is bettors can’t wager individual prop bets on college games.

Iowa Sports Teams to bet on

When you choose which Iowa betting site you want to sign up for, you may be looking to get behind some local teams. Although there are no big-time professional teams, Iowa is big on college sports. Residents have the opportunity to wager on the Iowa Hawkeyes or the Iowa Cyclones. However, it is important to note that the sports wagering law in Iowa only permits pre-game betting on college teams based in the Hawkeye State. Live betting and player props on Iowa college sports teams are prohibited.

Local pro clubs play in baseball’s minor leagues. The Iowa Cubs are the Triple-A farm club of the Chicago Cubs. Although the pro options are limited, you will discover betting odds available for teams playing in major domestic and international leagues.

Pros: Iowa’s Successes

Cons: What Can Be Done Better?

Iowa Betting Sites – FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?

With the passage of Iowa State Senate Bill 617 in May 2019, both land-based and online sports betting became legal in Iowa. In addition, the state also regulates online horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports.

Who regulates online sports betting in Iowa?

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates Iowa online sports betting. They make sure that all legal online sportsbooks follow online gambling games regulations.

Do I need to live in Iowa to place online wagers?

You can set up an account online even if you are only visiting the state. However, you can only bet only when you are located within the state borders of Iowa.

Are online casino and poker games available in Iowa?

Unfortunately, Iowa state law only authorizes online sports betting. Players need to wait until the state legalizes online casinos and poker in order to play table games. However, the Iowa Lottery has plans to allow online lottery ticket purchases.

What kind of bets can I place on Iowa betting sites?

Players can access a range of single and multiple bets on Iowa betting apps. In addition, there are also some innovative betting types such as in-play live wagering and cash-out bets.

The list of popular bet types available are:

On what kind of sports can I bet on an Iowa sportsbook?

In Iowa, players can bet on all major pro leagues and individual sports. Unfortunately, you cannot wager on Iowa collegiate sports. Depending on which sportsbook app you choose, there will also be a long list of niche and international sports.

The sports and leagues include the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MMA, tennis, rugby, soccer, boxing, basketball, football, baseball, cricket, and many more.