Iowa doesn’t have any major professional sports teams of its own, but the state is still into sports. Naturally, that also means that there’s a sizable market for sports betting as well. A slew of sportsbooks have planted their flags in the state of Iowa and that gives residents a load of options to choose from.
Thankfully, getting started on sports betting in Iowa is a fairly easy process and ATS.io can help make it even easier. Here is the state of sports betting in Iowa, what sportsbook apps are available in the state, and what sports you can wager on. Here are the Top 5 Iowa sports betting apps:
- Caesars Sportsbook – Best new user welcome bonus, Go Full Caesar
- FanDuel Sportsbook – Best Iowa betting app for prop bets
- BetMGM – Best user rewards program
- DraftKings – Best mobile betting app
- BetRivers – Best daily user promotions, odds boosts and bet & get promos
Best Iowa Betting App Bonuses
What sports betting apps are available in Iowa?
FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook rank among the best sports betting sites that are available in Iowa. Though Iowa isn’t the biggest state, it has welcomed in a long list of prominent betting apps. Here are some of the heavyweights in the state that you can sign up with today.
1. Caesars Sportsbook
- Tech partner: William Hill
- Casino partner: Horseshoe Casino, Isle Casino, Harrah’s Casino
Caesars Entertainment was already a mainstay in Iowa before sports betting even came into play. The company behind the Horsehoe and Harrah’s casino chains had several established locations in the state, giving its sportsbook a perfect foothold to take over the Iowa sports betting market.
Caesars Sportsbook has a great rewards program that can be utilized both through the sportsbook or at Caesars-operated casinos. For those who frequent the Horseshoe Casino, Isle Casino, or Harrah’s Casino branches in Iowa, this is a natural fit. You can get a large boost to your rewards program account alongside some extra oomph to your betting on the sportsbook through this Caesars welcome bonus:
2. FanDuel Online Sportsbook
- Tech partner: FanDuel
- Casino partner: Diamond Jo Worth Casino
FanDuel is a sports betting institution at this point, and it’s available in almost every state where the pastime legal. The betting app is a solid option for fans thanks to its hassle-free user experience. It’s easy to use thanks to its great sports betting app and website, and is easy to start with thanks to its assortment of banking options.
Iowa sports bettors can join in on the action with FanDuel by clicking the link below, signing up, and opting in to this strong Iowa welcome bonus. Visitors to the Diamond Jo Worth Casino can get in on the action thanks to the retail sports betting site in the state.
3. BetMGM Sportsbook
- Tech partner: Entain
- Casino partner: Diamond Jo Casino
MGM Resorts is a leading name in the casino world, boasting locations across the country including some of Nevada’s most iconic casinos. Though it doesn’t have a casino established in Iowa, it has established itself in the state thanks to a partnership with the Diamond Jo Casino.
BetMGM has a lot to offer sports fans in Iowa. Alongside its huge market offering, it also has an exciting Same Game Parlay system and regular promos. New users also get a bit of a safety net thanks to BetMGM’s great welcome bonus:
4. DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tech partner: DraftKings
- Casino partner: Wild Rose Casino
DraftKings is an industry leader in the American sports betting industry despite having roots outside the world of traditional gaming. The daily fantasy sports site has made a slew of splashy partnerships with teams and leagues to become a household name in the sports world.
Those partnerships aren’t just in front of a camera, though. DraftKings Sportsbook is also established in Iowa through a partnership with Wild Rose Casino. This resulted in DraftKings betting sites being opened in each of its locations. DraftKings has some of the best promos in the business to go alongside its great app. You can get started on it by clicking here:
5. BetRivers
- Tech partner: Kambi
- Casino partner: Wild Rose Casino
Wild Rose Casino has helped to establish multiple sportsbooks in the state of Iowa. Though the state doesn’t have a retail location for the sports betting site, residents of the Hawkeye State can take advantage of BetRivers thanks to the Wild Rose Casino.
That’s great news for Iowa sports fans too, because BetRivers has a lot to offer. The betting app has one of the best rewards programs around and a 1x wagering requirement that makes it easy to take advantage of its promos. That goes for this exclusive welcome bonus, too:
6. PointsBet
- Tech partner: PointsBet
- Casino partner: Catfish Bend Casino
PointsBet is established as a sportsbook in Iowa both at the retail and online levels. Iowa residents can visit the Catfish Bend Casino to get some skin in the game through PointsBet, which offers up its own unique sports betting style.
Alongside good, easy-to-use promos, PointsBet has its unique Points Betting system. These are super-charged over/unders that multiply the wins and losses based on how far away the result is from the line. PointsBet makes it easy to get started thanks to this welcome bonus:
7. Betfred
- Tech Partner: Betfred
- Full Sportsbook Review: Betfred
- Retail Partner: Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
BetFred is a major player in the sports betting scene, and Iowa residents are among a limited number of Americans that have easy access to its sports betting app. The European giant has a retail location at the Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort, and its sportsbook is available online thanks to that marriage.
An enormous number of markets is available with BetFred, offering action on an overwhelming number of sports and leagues. Users can also enjoy a slew of different bet types, making this a great option for those who take their betting seriously.
8. Elite Sportsbook
Elite Sportsbook is the in-house sports betting brand for the Elite Hospitality Group that runs Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, Rhythm City Casino Resort, and Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Iowa. The end result is the DBA Elite Sportsbook partnered with Bet. Elite Sportsbook is not what the name would suggest, as there is nothing elite about the website or the sports betting app, but it could certainly have its uses for contrarian bettors looking to pick against local teams.
Small, regional casinos certainly have the chance to be influenced by the fandom of a bunch of biased bettors in a given area. Otherwise, Elite Sportsbook has limited deposit and withdrawal methods and a very basic interface that leaves something to be desired with pregame betting and also in-game wagering.
9. Q Sportsbook
The Q Sportsbook is the retail sports betting location for the Q Casino, which is owned by the city of Dubuque, Iowa. The Q Sportsbook App lacks the character and excitement of the retail sportsbook, which is arguably the best in the state. The app is forgettable at best and not even worth downloading at worst. Betting odds are mostly reasonable, but sports betting options and niche markets are virtually non-existent.
Q Sportsbook does allow Iowa sports bettors to sign up and deposit via PayPal, which is about the best we can say about the sign-up process. The app is basic and functional and the technological support of IGT makes it usable, but that is where the positives end. Save yourself the time downloading the app and just go to the retail sportsbook for a nice time on an NFL Sunday or for a big college football Saturday.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Iowa?
Yes, online sports betting is completely legal in Iowa. Sports fans in the state can easily sign up for a sportsbook and start betting. There are a number of different legal sports betting sites available in the state of Iowa, allowing users to bet on their favorite teams and engage with sports in a whole new way.
How to bet on sports in Iowa
Iowa sports fans can register for an online sports betting site by clicking on one of the links above and hitting “join” or “register.” This will start the sign-up process.
Signing up with a sports betting app is quite easy, and it’s not much different from creating an account with a digital retailer. Enter a valid email address and submit some personal information. From there, validate everything and the account will be created.
From there, the next step is to make a deposit. This is the process of adding money into your account that is used on wagers. Different sportsbooks have a variety of accepted payment methods. Credit and debit cards are accepted by most sportsbooks, but may require an intermediary service. Other payment services such as PayPal and Venmo may be supported. Make sure to consult our sportsbook reviews to see if your preferred payment method is accepted.
Cash is also a possibility with many sportsbooks. Making a direct payment at a retail sportsbook to your online account is an option with sportsbooks that have a retail presence in Iowa. There are also services such as Paysafe and PayNearMe that sportsbook deposits using cash through retailers like 7-Eleven and CVS Pharmacy.
After you make a deposit you’ll be able to opt into promos and start wagering. Here’s the step-by-step process for starting your online sports betting journey:
- Pick out a legal sportsbook from the list above
- Click on the link and begin the registration process
- Make a deposit
- Opt into promos
- Start betting!
Where to bet on sports in Iowa?
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.
FanDuel Sportsbook at Diamond Jo Worth Casino
- Bally’s Location: 301 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001
- Retail Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games
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.
PointBet at Catfish Bend Casino
- Location: 3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA 52601
- Retail Sportsbook: PointsBet
- Other Features: Slots, poker, table games
PointsBet 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.
Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s, Horseshoe, and more
- Harrah’s Council Bluffs Location: 1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Horseshoe Casino Location: 2701 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Isle Casino Bettendorf Location: 1777 Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA 52722
- Isle Casino Waterloo Location:777 Isle of Capri Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50701
- Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel Location: 1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009
- Retail Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, thoroughbred racing
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 Sportsbook at Wild Rose Casinos
- Wild Rose Clinton Location: 777 Wild Rose Dr, Clinton, IA 52732
- Wild Rose Jefferson Location: 777 Wild Rose Dr, Jefferson, IA 50129
- Wild Rose Emmetsburg Location: 777 Wild Rose Dr, Jefferson, IA 50129
- Retail Sportsbook: DraftKings Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, off-track betting
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.
Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar Casino
- Location: 2200 River Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
- Retail Sportsbook: Barstool Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games
Penn National operates a slew of casinos and resorts across the United States and Barstool Sportsbook is basically a staple part of them at this point. The sportsbook branded after the popular sports blog has homes in a slew of Hollywood Casinos and other locations.
In Iowa, Ameristar Casino is the landing spot for Barstool Sportsbook. The casino and hotel has over 1,300 slot machines and 20 table games across 38,500 of gaming space.
BetFred at Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort
- Location: 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, Larchwood, IA 51241
- Retail Sportsbook: BetFred
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, golf
BetFred is a staple sportsbook in Europe, and Iowa residents are lucky enough to be able to enjoy it both online and in person. That’s thanks to the Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort, which boasts a BetFred retail sportsbook that accepts wagers on all your favorite sports.
The Grand Falls Casino’s primary offering is its traditional casino which includes slots, table games, and poker. On top of this is the stay-and-play opportunity associated with its scenic golf course.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Iowa?
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:
- NFL
- NCAA Football
- NCAA Basketball
- NHL
- MMA
- Boxing
- NBA
- MLB
- Tennis
- Soccer
- PGA
- Racing
- Darts
- Lacrosse
- Esports
Available Bet Types in Iowa
Moneyline
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.
Spread
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
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
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
Totals are over/unders that include both teams’ tallies. Totals 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
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
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.
Iowa Sports Teams
Iowa Hawkeyes
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.
Iowa State Cyclones
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.
Chicago Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs
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.
Minnesota Vikings
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:
- Burlington Bees
- Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Clintin LumberKings
- Iowa Cubs
- Sioux City Explorers
- Quad City River Bandits
History of Sports Betting in Iowa
Iowa is a relatively small state but stands as an enormous gambling market. Despite having a population of just three million, the state is home to more than 20 casinos. It’s no surprise, then, that Iowa was quite quick to legalize sports betting when given the chance.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 banned sports betting across the United States. A series of legal challenges made their way through the court system and in 2018, the United States Supreme Court reversed the 26-year ban. This allowed individual states to decide whether to allow or ban sports betting within their borders.
Iowa effectively pounced on the chance to legalize sports betting. State legislators approved sports betting in May 2019. Just three months later, sports betting was approved in the state with online and retail sportsbooks launching simultaneously in August 2019.
Iowa Sports Betting FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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
Yes sports bettors must enable geo-location services before placing a sports wager. However you can withdrawal or deposit from anywhere. ***You do not need to be a resident of Iowa to place wagers, only within state borders when making bets.
Regulations also state that players who win in excess of $1,200 provide their social security number when cashing out.
Yes you can use bet via your phone, mobile app or via the sportsbooks website once registered and verified 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
