Iowa Sports Betting Apps – Legal Online Sportsbooks 2026
Updated May 8, 2026
Updated May 8, 2026
Sports betting is legal in Iowa, with online wagering available statewide through licensed sportsbooks.
The state has more than a dozen regulated online platforms where bettors can place wagers from anywhere within Iowa. Popular options include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics Sportsbook.
This guide compares Iowa online sportsbooks, outlines what each platform offers, and explains how sports betting works in the state, including basic rules, eligibility requirements, and what to review before signing up.
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Iowa is home to a competitive online sports betting market, with most major U.S. sportsbooks offering mobile betting statewide. That gives Iowa bettors a wide range of apps to choose from, each with different strengths, features, and bonus structures.
Below is a comparison of the top Iowa sports betting apps based on factors like betting markets, mobile usability, promotions, and overall user experience. The list highlights where each sportsbook tends to stand out, helping bettors compare options and decide which app best fits their preferences.
bet365 launched in Iowa in June 2023 and has since become a notable option for online sports betting in the state. The sportsbook places a strong emphasis on live betting, in-play markets, and early cash-out options, which are available across many major sports. Iowa bettors can choose from a wide betting menu that includes professional leagues like the NFL and NBA, along with college sports and smaller markets.
The bet365 mobile app is straightforward to navigate and makes it easy to place bets before games or while they are in progress. Features such as odds boosts and in-play betting tools are regularly available. Overall, bet365 offers broad market coverage and a solid set of betting features, with particular appeal for bettors who prefer live and in-game wagering.
DraftKings is a well-established sportsbook in Iowa and one of the more recognizable names in the U.S. sports betting market. Originally known for daily fantasy sports, the company expanded into online sports betting and now offers a full sportsbook app available on both Android and iOS devices. The app is designed to be easy to navigate, making it accessible for newer bettors while still offering depth for more experienced users.
DraftKings provides a wide range of betting options, including player props, alternate lines, and same-game parlays across major professional and college sports. Additional features like DraftKings Pools and DraftKings Social allow users to create private pools or interact with other bettors, though these tools are optional rather than central to the betting experience. While its overall sports coverage may not be as extensive as some competitors, DraftKings remains a popular Iowa sportsbook due to its app usability, market variety, and reliable payment and customer support options.
Caesars Sportsbook is an established operator in the U.S. sports betting market and offers a licensed online sportsbook in Iowa. The platform covers most major professional and college sports and supports common bet types such as straight bets, parlays, live betting, and player props.
One area where Caesars stands out is its Caesars Rewards loyalty program, which lets sportsbook activity earn points that can be used across the wider Caesars ecosystem. The app supports multiple banking options, including PayPal, and deposits and withdrawals are generally processed without major issues. Some users do report occasional app performance or customer service delays, but Caesars remains a widely used Iowa sportsbook due to its market coverage, loyalty integration, and range of betting options.
BetMGM operates a licensed online sportsbook in Iowa and offers a mobile app and desktop site that cover a wide range of sports and betting markets. Bettors can find odds on major U.S. leagues such as football, basketball, and hockey, along with additional markets that extend beyond the most common sports. Standard bet types are available, including straight bets, parlays, futures, and live betting.
BetMGM includes features like Bet Builder, which allows users to create custom parlays, and Cash Out, which can be used to settle certain bets before an event ends. The app is generally easy to navigate, though some users report occasional loading delays. BetMGM also offers a rewards program tied to MGM properties, along with multiple banking options for deposits and withdrawals. Overall, BetMGM is a solid Iowa sportsbook option for bettors looking for broad market coverage and familiar betting tools.
FanDuel is a familiar name in U.S. sports betting and offers an online sportsbook to Iowa bettors through its mobile app and desktop site. The platform is built around a clean layout that makes it easy to browse betting markets and place wagers, with a particular emphasis on player props and same-game parlays for major sports like football and basketball.
Additional features such as odds boosts and in-app betting guides are available, which may be useful for newer bettors. FanDuel’s overall sports coverage is slightly more limited than some competitors, but it remains a common choice in Iowa due to its prop betting depth, straightforward interface, and standard banking options, including PayPal. Customer support is available via live chat and email.
Most online sportsbooks in Iowa offer introductory promotions for new customers, though the specific offers vary by app. These promotions often take the form of bet-and-get deals, first-bet offers, deposit-based bonuses, or profit boosts.
Below are some examples of Iowa sportsbook bonuses from licensed operators that are currently available to new bettors in the state.
Iowa Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
FanDuel | Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed - When You Bet $5 for 7 Days | |
bet365 | Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New Customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. | |
BetMGM | (*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.) | |
DraftKings | Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets Plus 20% Match up to $1,000 | |
Caesars | Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x | |
Fanatics | 10 x $100 Bet Match In FanCash |
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Below is the full list of legal online sportsbooks in Iowa. There are currently around a dozen betting apps approved to operate in the state. Over the years, some sportsbooks have launched in Iowa while others have stopped accepting players or exited the market.
All of the sportsbooks listed above are licensed and regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Iowa. The state approved sports wagering in May 2019, and both online and retail sportsbooks launched a few months later in August.
Today, Iowa allows betting through licensed sportsbook apps as well as at in-person locations inside the state’s casinos. All legal sportsbooks are overseen by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.
To place a wager, you must be at least 21 years old and physically located within Iowa at the time of betting.
Signing up for an online sportsbook in Iowa is a straightforward process. Licensed sportsbooks follow similar registration steps and require basic personal information to verify eligibility.
Select one of the licensed online sportsbooks available in Iowa. Each platform offers different betting markets, features, and promotions, so it may help to compare options before choosing.
Click “Join” or “Register” on the sportsbook’s website or app to begin the sign-up process. You’ll be asked to provide a valid email address and personal details such as your name, date of birth, and address. This information is used to verify identity and confirm eligibility.
Once your account is approved, you can add funds using an accepted payment method. Most Iowa sportsbooks support options such as debit cards, online banking, and e-wallets like PayPal or Venmo, though availability may vary by platform.
After funding your account, you can browse available sports, markets, and bet types and place wagers through the sportsbook’s app or website.
Retail sports betting is live in Iowa and a number of top sportsbooks have established a presence in the state. Both nationwide chain casinos and local tribal casinos are home to sportsbooks in Iowa, offering residents of the state ample opportunity to wager on their favorite teams.
Here are some of the best retail sportsbook options in Iowa and which sportsbooks operate them.
Diamond Jo Worth Casino serves as the partner for multiple online sportsbook, but the casino itself has a partnership with FanDuel. The result is a FanDuel sportsbook and lounge on-site at the casino.
While this isn’t an unusual arrangement, Diamond Jo Worth Casino kicks things up a notch. Bets made at the on-site FanDuel Sportsbook count towards both FanDuel’s rewards program, as well as the Boyd Rewards program used at the casino.
Fanatics also enjoys a retail presence in the state of Iowa. It has one location in the Catfish Bend Casino where it can offer up its unique style of wagering. That’s not all that can be found in the Burlington casino, though.
Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort have a variety of slots on hand and table games including craps, blackjack, and Pai Gow. Those who visit Thursday through Saturday can be treated to the casino’s poker room.
The sportsbook with the biggest footprint in Iowa, at least when it comes to retail sportsbooks, is Caesars Sportsbook. Caesars was one of two sportsbooks that were available in Iowa from day one, with everyone else having to play catch-up.
Caesars Sportsbooks are attached to some of the largest casinos in Iowa. The Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel is the largest casino in Iowa with nearly 2,000 gaming terminals on its 85,000-square-foot gaming floor. The Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs is the second-largest, with 1,700 terminals. Each of these locations has something different, with the Prairie Meadows Casino also having thoroughbred racing.
DraftKings is available in Iowa through its partnership with the Wild Rose Casinos and that sees DraftKings Sportsbooks available at their establishments. This allows guests to take in a game in between trips to the tables.
Each Wild Rose Casino has 500 gaming terminals apiece, with a roundup of the most popular table games. This includes blackjack, Pai Gow, craps, and more. The DraftKings Sportsbooks are open during select days and hours, but there are also self-serve kiosks on the gaming floor that are operational whenever the casino is open.
Iowa sports bettors are lucky enough to be able to bet on both professional and college sports. The only serious caveat is that sports bettors are not able to wager on prop bets related to college sports. This affords bettors the ability to bet on all their favorite teams, regardless of what level they play at.
Though esports betting was banned for a time in Iowa, that changed in 2022. House File 2497 legalized esports betting in the state, opening the door for betting on professional gaming events.
Here are some of the best sports you can bet on in Iowa:
The Iowa Hawkeyes, playing out of the University of Iowa, are an institution across many NCAA sports. The school has arguably the best wrestling pedigree in the country, and was long helmed by the legendary Olympian Dan Gable. Iowa won 23 national championships from 1975 to 2010, and scored its 24th in 2021.
Despite that success, the school’s primarily known for its strong football and basketball programs. The Hawkeyes’ women’s basketball team has been very strong at the conference level and in recent years, has been able to make runs in the NCAA Tournament as deep as the Elite Eight. Its football team posts winning records much more often than not, and can be expected to play in a bowl game each year.
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ chief rival in many ways is Iowa State University. The schools have a rivalry that dates back to the 1800s, with the schools facing off annually for the Cy-Hawk trophy. Iowa Universty has gotten the better of the rivalry over time, but Iowa State finds ways to keep things competitive more often than not and has taken its share of wins.
Outside of football, Iowa State is strong in a number of sports, most notably basketball. Its men’s basketball team has won a number of Big 12 Championships, and has made multiple deep runs in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa doesn’t have any pro sports teams in the four largest American sports leagues, with most of its sports appetite being dedicated to its local NCAA favorites. When it comes to pro sports, most of its love is directed toward its neighbors in Illinois.
The Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs are Iowa’s most popular NBA, NHL, and MLB teams, respectively. Each of these teams are long on history, but up-and-down when it comes to recent results. Despite that, Iowa has stuck by these Chicago teams and they are likely to be a go-to when it comes to betting.
While one might expect the Chicago Bears to be the top NFL team in Iowa given the popularity of the Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs, that’s not actually the case. Iowa’s most popular NFL team is actually the Bears’ divisional archrivals, the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings have a solid history, but have been up and down in recent years. The Purple People Eaters of the 1970s helped the team enjoy juggernaut status but things haven’t been as rosy since. Still, the team was a fringe playoff contender throughout the 2010s and saw a huge resurgence in 2022.
Alongside the NCAA favorites and adopted major league teams, Iowa has some minor league and semi-pro teams that are active and can be wagered on. Here’s a list of some of Iowa’s true hometown teams that can be wagered on:
Moneylines are what most people imagine when it comes to sports betting, offering the most straightforward experience possible. Pick which team you think will win and receive a reward based on how the team was expected to perform.
Spreads are moneylines, but with the favorite to win being handicapped. This means that the favored team will need to win by a certain number of points in order to have a bet on them hit. While this might sound annoying, it can offer considerably better lines on heavily favored teams and can make a bet on a big underdog a viable option.
Live betting kicks off as soon as the kickoff. Even when a game is underway, sports betting apps will offer wagering on a game. The lines will shift based on how the game pans out, making for some juicy opportunities.
Over/unders hone in on one specific stat. The bookmaker will set a line and bettors need to guess whether the final result will be over or under that mark. The standard for this style of wager is on the points scored by a team during a game, but there are often markets for individual players’ stats like the number of passing yards thrown by a quarterback.
Totals are over/unders that include both teams’ tallies. These are one of the most common and most heavily promoted types of wagers, often being placed right alongside moneylines and spreads. They’re a great way to bet without relying on the team of one performance.
Prop bets are bets attached to specific events within or around a contest occurring, or not occurring. Will the coin toss before a football game be heads or tails? Will a player hit a grand slam during a baseball game?
Parlays are a key method for getting large payouts in sports betting. These combine multiple bets into one, with the prizes escalating with each additional facet, called a leg. Every leg ups the potential payout but the each leg needs to succeed in order to get it, making bettors weigh risk and reward.
Sports betting rules can change once you cross state lines. If you’re traveling outside Iowa, these state-by-state guides break down where online sports betting is legal nearby and what to expect in each state.
Who can bet on sports in Iowa?
Anyone who is located within Iowa and is 21 or over can place sports bets. Sports Bettors on Iowa’s self-exclusion lists will not be permitted to enter state casinos, and therefore will be unable to place bets.
Is online sports betting safe in Iowa?
Betting on sports is safe in Iowa if you are betting at a licensed Iowa sportsbook, if you find a sportsbook that you are unsure of you can check with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to verify its licensing.
Are any other types of gambling legal in Iowa?
As Iowa sports betting continues to grow, online casinos and poker could be coming as well, but for now, the only thing permitted outside of the brick-and-mortar casinos is sports betting.
What type of bets and sports are available?
Currently Iowa does not offer prop bets, live or in-play betting on Iowa collegiate games. Everything else is on the Iowa sports betting table including: MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA football, basketball, Boxing, UFC, CFL, Soccer, Auto racing, Golf, Tennis
Do I need to be in Iowa to place bets?
Yes sports bettors must enable geo-location services before placing a sports wager. However, you can withdraw or deposit from anywhere. ***You do not need to be a resident of Iowa to place wagers, only within state borders when making bets.
Do you pay taxes on sports betting in Iowa?
Regulations also state that players who win in excess of $1,200 provide their social security number when cashing out.
Can I bet using my phone or online in Iowa?
Yes you can use bet via your phone, mobile app or via the sportsbooks website once registered and verified in Iowa.
Is betting on College Sports legal in Iowa?
Betting on college sports is legal in Iowa, however wagering on prop bets for in-state colleges is not allowed. For example you can not place a prop bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Written by Mike McDermott, Online Gambling Expert & Industry Analyst
Mike McDermott has been part of the online gambling world since the early days back when dial-up connections were still a thing and online poker rooms were just starting to take off. With over 20 years in the industry, he's seen trends come and go, watched regulations tighten, and helped shape the strategies behind some of the most recognizable names in iGaming. Mike doesn’t just write about online casinos and sportsbooks he’s worked inside them. From advising on risk management and user experience to testing games for fairness and compliance, his experience runs deep. He’s consulted for operators, contributed to gambling safety initiatives, and still plays regularly to stay sharp. His goal? Simple. To help players make smarter choices, avoid shady sites, and understand the real odds behind the games. You’ll find his work quoted in major gambling publications and trusted by thousands of readers looking for real, unfiltered insights - not marketing fluff.