Iowa Sports Betting 2024 - Best IA Sportsbooks & Bonus Offers

Gamblers in Iowa began wagering on sports on August 15, 2019 when both retail and online sports betting entered the state. Prairie Meadows Casino (Altoona), Riverside Casino (Riverside), and Lakeside Hotel Casino (Osceola) were among the first to accept wagers. Iowa’s industry friendly tax rate encourages operators to enter their market and after the recent departures of Betway, Superbook at Tipico from the state, Iowans now have 14 online sportsbooks to choose from.

Having 14 online sportsbooks to choose from in Iowa is a good thing for sports bettors, but are you wondering how to pick which ones to sign up with? I will provide you with the best sportsbook options Iowa has to offer, the state’s path toward legal sports betting, and how to get started betting on sports. Not to mention, which local teams to wager on and responsible gambling resources.

Best Betting Site In Iowa

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Is Sports Betting Legal In The Iowa

Yes, online and retail sports betting was officially legalized in Iowa as of May 13, 2019 when Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 617 into law. The bill allowed betting to start in the state on August 15 and several operators were lined up and ready to go on that date. Iowa has grown into an ultra competitive market with a lot of options which is great news if you’re new to sports betting. Online sports betting required in-person registration at first, but since 2021 Iowans have been able to get started betting on sports without leaving home. Betting on the NFL Draft or college player props is prohibited in Iowa.

Iowa Quick Facts

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Launch Date: August, 2019
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Legal Betting Age: 21 years old
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Online Sports Betting: Yes
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Online Casino Sites: Yes
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Online Poker Sites: No
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Best Available Sportsbook: FanDuel
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Regulatory Body: Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission
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Legal online sportsbooks: 14
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College Sports Betting: Yes, but no college player props
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Political or entertainment betting: No
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High School sports Betting: No
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Esports betting: No
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NFL Draft: No
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Remote registration: Yes

Timeline of Betting Legislation & Latest News

Iowa passed sports betting legislation in 2019, a year after the United States Supreme Court reversed The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which had previously blocked states from legalizing. At first, Iowans had to drive to a sportsbook and sign up in person if they wanted to bet online, but thanks to the introduction of remote registration in 2021, sports bettors can now get started from their living room.

Additional Iowa Legal Betting Path Details

May 14, 2018
The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), clearing the way for individual states to legalize sports betting.
April 8, 2019
Senate File 617 (SF 617) introduced and placed on the Weighs and Means Committee Calendar. The bill would legalize retail and online sports betting in Iowa.
April 17, 2019
SF 617 passes in the senate by a vote of 31-18.
April 22, 2019
SF 617 passes in the house by a vote of 67-31.
May 13, 2019
Governor Kim Reynolds signs SF 617 into law, legalizing sports betting in the state.
Aug. 15, 2019
Retail and online sports betting launches with the opening of seven Iowa sportsbooks including one at Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona. William Hill and Elite Sports are among the first sports betting apps.
Jan. 1, 2021
Remote registration is legalized in Iowa, meaning sports bettors no longer have to drive to a sportsbook to get started.

How to start betting in Iowa

Getting started sports betting in Iowa is painless thanks to remote registration which allows bettors to register for a sportsbook and deposit money into their account from anywhere in the state. If you’re over 21-years-old and in Iowa, you can download your favorite sports betting app on a smartphone, deposit money, verify your identity, and begin betting instantly.

Select a Sportsbook
First, decide which sportsbook you want to use and download that sports betting app on your phone. Some sportsbooks will allow you to get started from their website on a computer as well. With the help of this article, make sure the app you’ve chosen is regulated in your state.
Create Account
Click the button on your sportsbooks’s app that says “signup” or “get started,” while you’re inside state lines, to begin creating an account. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
Deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each sportsbook has different options for deposits, but common options include: Credit/debit card, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
Choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each sportsbook. If you’re just getting started, moneylines are the most straight-forward bet and allow bettors to wager on who will win an event. Point spreads, over/unders, parlays, player props and futures bets are also popular choices.
Place a wager
Every sportsbook runs independently from each other so they each may offer different point spreads or odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
Withdraw funds
Each online sportsbook has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple days.

Home Field Advantage

There are no professional sports teams in Iowa, but the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, Drake Bulldogs and Northern Iowa Panthers are among the big Division I college programs with a lot of interest. Chicago sports teams have the hearts of some Iowa residents because Illinois is located to the east of the state.

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NCAA - Iowa Hawkeyes: Before Caitlin Clark was hitting buckets for the Lady Hawkeyes, Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, and George Kittle were making their mark on the gridiron. Iowa has produced some incredible athletes and it often produces some fun opportunities for betting whether it’s during March Madness or Bowl season. Last year, Iowa’s men’s basketball team went 19-15, while its football team finished 10-4.
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NCAA - Iowa State Cyclones: The Cyclones’ football program qualified for a bowl game in six out of the last seven seasons, with two wins under its belt. The NFL is littered with former Iowa State players including Brock Purdy, David Montgomery, and Breece Hall. Iowa State’s men’s basketball program has registered three solid seasons in a row going 70-35 over that stretch. While the Hawkeys and Cyclones have the hearts of most Iowa sports fans, the Drake Bulldogs and Northern Iowa Panthers have plenty of fans too, especially when March Madness rolls around.
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NFL: Chicago Bears: Mike Ditka. Brian Urlacher. Walter Payton. The list of Chicago Bears legends seems endless. The Bears were regular playoff contenders until the late 1990s, when successful seasons suddenly became fewer and much further between. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams is hoping to turn the Bears fortunes around and some would say he has a chance to be the biggest name in Chicago since Michael Jordan.
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MLB: Chicago Cubs: The Cubs ended a long 108-year drought in 2016 thanks to guys like Kris Bryant and company. The Cubs have qualified for the playoffs three times since then, but they’ve finished under .500 in three of the past four seasons. Outfielder Cody Bellinger has put up really good numbers for the Cubbies the past two seasons.
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NBA: Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan’s six titles between 1991 to 1998 are legendary. Since MJ left, however, it’s been an inconsistent path since then for the Bulls, who made the playoffs 10 times in 11 seasons between 2005 and 2017, but have gotten there just once since. Even with the Bulls toward the bottom of the standings, Jordan’s legacy and the impact he made with guys like Scottie Pippen and Phll Jackson will never be forgotten.
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NHL: Chicago Blackhawks: Since 1926, the Blackhawks’ six Stanley Cup championships include a run of three in six years between 2010 and 2015. Things were really lean prior to that success, and have been really lean since, with just one playoff berth in the last seven seasons. But the legacy of the Blackhawks runs deep throughout the state, making them an Illinois betting staple.

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POLITICS

The voluntary self-exclusion mail-in enrollment form (https://irgc.iowa.gov/media/34/download?inline=) is available thanks to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) (https://irgc.iowa.gov/self-exclusion-program).. The form can be utilized by anyone in Iowa struggling to set boundaries gambling and especially helps those struggling with gambling temptations. People in Iowa struggling with a gambling addiction can call 1-800-BETS-OFF or text 1-855-895-8398 if they need a listening ear or wish to be connected to additional resources. A chat option is also available at https://yourlifeiowa.org/gambling.