Iowa Sports Betting - The Best Iowa Sportsbooks

Written by: Richard Jarvin

When you look back from when PASPA overturned legal sports betting to now, you’ll find that Iowa was one of the first to get in on the action, bringing sports betting to the state in August 2019, becoming the 11th state to do so.

On launch day, August 15, only Caesars Sportsbook had a license, but Elite Sportsbook went live two weeks later.

Our team here at US Legal Betting will get you up to date on all you need to know about Iowa sports betting, including the five best legal betting sites, retail sportsbooks, in-state betting apps, and so much more.

Is Sports Betting Legal In Iowa?

Yes. Iowa sports betting online became legal and live on August 15, 2019, just weeks before the NFL and college football seasons started. The Governor signed sports betting into law in May 2019, and retail sports betting went live shortly after that.

1. bet365 Iowa - The Best Overall Iowa Sportsbook
2. BetRivers Iowa - Best Sportsbook Rewards Program
3. FanDuel Iowa - Best Sportsbook For New Bettors
4. BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa - Best Parlay Betting Sportsbook
5. Betway Sportsbook Iowa - Massive Global Sportsbook Brand
6. DraftKings Iowa - Best Player Prop Betting Markets
7. Caesars Sportsbook Iowa - Top Daily Odds Boosts
8. Elite Sportsbook Iowa - Top Local Sportsbook
9. Q Sportsbook Iowa - Top Local Sportsbook Competitor
10. Fanatics Sportsbook Iowa - New Big Name Iowa Sportsbook
11. Hard Rock Sportsbook Iowa - Well-Known Iowa Sportsbook Brand
12. Betfred Sportsbook Iowa - Most Unique Sportsbook Welcome Bonus
13. Circa Sportsbook Iowa - Reputable Sportsbook Brand From Las Vegas
14. SuperBook Sportsbook Iowa - Excellent User Interface Design
15. ESPN Bet Iowa - The Newest Sportsbook in Iowa
16. Bally Bet Sportsbook Iowa - Accessible Sportsbook Welcome Bonus
17. ClutchBet Sportsbook Iowa - Best Local Sports Team Odds
18. Tipico Sportsbook Iowa - Best Cashback Sportsbook Promotion

While we touched on the top five sportsbooks in Iowa above, there are plenty of others to choose from. With that, you’ll come across numerous Iowa sportsbook promos, and below, we’ll list the ones you’ll most often come across.

• Bonus Bets: These are the currency you’ll most often receive from bonuses and promotions throughout Iowa. With these, you can make wagers. However, if the wager wins, you won’t receive the initial wager as part of your payout.
• Deposit Bonus: These were more common in the early days of sports betting, but with these, you’ll receive a percentage match up to a specific amount for your first deposit at an Iowa sportsbook.
• Loyalty Programs: These programs allow you to accumulate points to use on online and in-person perks and benefits, such as bonus bets or complimentary hotel rooms.
• Odds Boosts: These are betting markets with enhanced betting odds. For example, a sportsbook could transform a team’s odds from -125 to +100 to attract more betting action.

📰 June 5, 2025: Iowa-based athletes suing the federal government for rights violations in lawsuit brought against them

📰 May 22, 2025: Iowa's sports betting handle was $209.5 million, down 23% from March but up 21.4% compared to April 2023.

📰 April 29, 2025: A University of Iowa betting scandal involved 26 students.

📰 April 16, 2025: Sports betting handle is $272.3 million, up over 23% from February.

📰 April 5, 2025: Iowa legislators voted to delay implementing rules to prevent student-athletes from betting on their games.

📰 March 5, 2025: A sports betting case against four Iowa State athletes was dismissed.

The process for making Iowa sports betting legal was quite fast compared to most states. In April 2019, the Iowa Legislature passed Senate File 617, the bill for sports betting. In May of that year, Governor Kim Reynolds signed it into office, and retail sports betting became legal shortly after that.

Finally, on August 15, 2019, mobile betting launched with Caesars Sportsbook Iowa.

Iowa was the 11th state to legalize sports betting.

While Iowa is one of many with legal sports betting today, all sports betting laws are slightly different outside of sports betting, ultimately becoming available to the general public.

Here are some unique aspects of Iowa sports betting law:

• There are 19 state-licensed casinos with sports betting permits.
• Iowa Sports betting revenue is taxed at 6.75%.
• The licensing fee is $45,000, and the renewal fee is $10,000.
• Prop bets on college sports teams aren’t allowed.
• The Iowa sports betting age is 21 or older.
• No mandate for using official league data.
• Sports betting is overseen and regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regulates Iowa sports betting. Its responsibilities include making rules, granting licenses, monitoring sportsbooks, enforcing rules, providing responsible gaming resources, ensuring sportsbooks have methods in place to protect customer data, and more.

Here’s the Iowa sports betting handle by month, ranging from August 2019 to April 2025.

To start betting in Iowa, follow our step-by-step guide below. By following this, you’ll be ready to bet in the state immediately.

1. Check out our betting guides here at USA Legal Betting. These guides cover everything from depositing/withdrawing money, placing a bet, creating an account, and more.
2. Explore our best Iowa betting sites and online IA sportsbooks to see which makes the most sense.
3. Decide which sportsbook(s) to play at and create an account. You can also download the Iowa sports betting app if you prefer to play there.
4. After you create your account, deposit funds. A link can be found in the upper right on the sportsbook's homepage.
5. Take advantage of the welcome bonus. These are typically wagers where you’ll receive your initial wager back as bonus bets if you lose or get a specified amount in bonus bets after making a wager.
6. Start betting on your favorite teams and sports with all that out of the way.

Yes. Since sports betting launched on August 15, 2019, all legal sportsbooks have Iowa sports betting apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

How Do I Use An IA Sportsbook Mobile App?

If you’re like most, chances are you’ll spend most of your time wagering in Iowa on the go. It’s important to understand how to use a mobile app, but we’re here to tell you it’s not too different from using the desktop platform.

Registration

After deciding which site to play at, visit your app store, type in the sportsbook, and download the app. Once this is complete, open the app and create an account.

Depositing Funds

Once you’ve created your account, it’s time to deposit. A link to deposit funds is typically in the upper right corner of the mobile app's homepage.

Placing Bets

With funds in your account, look through the mobile app and find what sport you want to bet on. From there, decide what market you want to wager on within that sport. Clicking on it will add it to your betslip, where you can put in how much you want to wager on that particular event.

Football

NFL

While no teams are in the state, NFL betting sites are widely available in Iowa. At these, you can wager on all the expected markets, including moneyline, parlays, point spread, and props; and yes, betting on the Super Bowl is available.

NCAA Football

Where there are no NFL teams, there are two headline NCAA football programs in Iowa and Iowa State. Therefore, there will be plenty of high-caliber NCAA football betting sites to wager on everything from individual games to who will make the College Football Playoff. Expect only the best of the best regarding sportsbook promos when college football season rolls around.

Basketball

NBA

Betting on the NBA is exciting regardless of which state you’re in, but like the NFL, there are no professional basketball teams in Iowa.

NCAA Basketball

Betting on NCAA basketball has been nothing short of magic in Iowa lately, thanks to Iowa State. The Cyclones made it to the Sweet Sixteen this past season, and the Hawkeyes also made the tournament. Since 2022, the Cyclones have been to two Sweet Sixteen games. You can expect numerous Iowa sports betting promos during the height of their seasons.

March Madness

Outside of football, there’s no bigger event than betting on March Madness in Iowa, especially as Iowa State continues to prove they’re one of the best teams in the country.

Baseball

MLB

Betting on the MLB is available in Iowa despite the fact that there is no professional team. Yes, betting on the World Series is available, and you’ll still be able to take advantage of all of the top sports promotions, even if you’re in Iowa.

Hockey

NHL

Are you sensing a theme here? Sadly, there’s no professional hockey team in Iowa. Still, NHL betting sites are available. Like the NBA, NFL, and MLB, you can partake in the championship of the NHL and betting on the Stanley Cup will remain popular in the state due to how competitive the games are throughout the NHL postseason. 

Golf

Just across the border in Silvis, Illinois, is the John Deere Classic for the PGA Tour, so even though it’s not in Iowa exactly, there are plenty of golf betting sites to choose from. In addition to the John Deere Classic, you can bet on the PGA Championship, The Masters, and more.

NASCAR Auto Racing

NASCAR betting is wildly popular in Iowa thanks to the Iowa Speedway. On June 16, 2025, it’ll host its first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race. Expect a lot of attention from Iowa sportsbooks on this event.

Boxing

Betting on boxing will always be available, even as a niche sport. Iowa has seen many great boxers rise, including Michael Nunn, Marcos Ramirez, Al Palzer, and Ray Bronson.

MMA

Although there aren’t any UFC events in Iowa, MMA betting sites are widely available. The same goes for UFC betting sites, as there are numerous top platforms in Iowa for betting on that league, including DraftKings Sportsbook.

Horse Betting

Horse betting has been legal online in Iowa since 2011. Numerous notable races take place in Iowa, including the Iowa Derby, Iowa Oaks, Cornhusker Handicap, Altoona Derby, and more.

Soccer

Soccer betting is available despite the lack of a professional team. The closest thing to one in the state is the Des Moines Menace from USL League Two.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily fantasy sports became legal in Iowa in May 2019. Platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, Underdog, and more are legal.

Tennis

Betting on tennis is available in Iowa, and you can bet on all of the top majors around the world. There are some intriguing tournaments that come through the state, including those from the USTA.

College Sports Betting in Iowa

Yes, you can bet on college sports in Iowa. The sports available in the state include basketball, football, baseball, and more. Iowa and Iowa State are the two most popular schools to bet on for college sports.

Prohibited Sports Betting in Iowa

In Iowa, you’re unable to wager on college player props or high school sports.

Professional Sports Teams in Iowa

There are no professional sports teams in Iowa. 

College Sports Teams in Iowa

As mentioned, the state’s two most popular college programs are the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa Cyclones. Still, there are many other colleges and programs in Iowa to consider. 

Basketball

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones
• Drake University Bulldogs
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Football

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Baseball

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones
• Drake University Bulldogs
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Softball

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones
• Drake University Bulldogs
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Soccer

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes (women’s only)
• Iowa State University Cyclones (women’s only)
• Drake University Bulldogs
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Volleyball

• University of Iowa Hawkeyes
• Iowa State University Cyclones
• Drake University Bulldogs
• University of Northern Iowa Panthers
• Upper Iowa University Peacocks
• Northwestern College Red Raiders
• Cornell College Rams

Yes. DFS has been legal in Iowa since May 2019, when the sports betting bill was signed into law.

Yes. Online horse racing betting was legalized in 2011. Now, you can wager online or in person. In-person betting is done at racetracks like Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona.

• Isle Bettendorf (Caesars): Located in Bettenford, Isle Bettendorf opened in 1995 and has 35,00 square feet of gaming space. There’s also a hotel on site with more than 500 rooms. It was renovated in 2016. A Caesars Sportsbook can be found on the site.
  Isle Waterloo (Caesars): Another “Isle” branch, Waterloo also has a Caesars on-site. This location opened in 2007 and has over 37,000 square feet of gaming space and north of 1,000 slots.
• Prairie Meadows (Caesars): Located in Altoona, Iowa, Prairie Meadows also has a Caesars Sportsbook on site. It opened in 1989 and offers horse racing for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. More than 2.7 million people visit the location annually. 
• Harrah’s Council Bluffs (Caesars): With more than 250 hotel rooms on site, Harrah’s in Council Bluff has 25,000 square feet of gaming space and numerous notable restaurants like 360 Steakhouse. There’s a Caesars Sportsbook on site here, too. 
• Horseshoe Casino (Caesars): Another location with a Caesars Sportsbook, Horseshow offers dozens of TVs, betting kiosks, and a full-service bar. 
  Grand Falls, Rhythm City, and Riverside (Betfred): All under the same umbrella, these locations offer Betfred as an on-site sportsbook. There are self-service kiosks available 24 hours per day, and there are thousands of square feet dedicated to the sportsbook at each location. 
• Q Casino (Q Sportsbook): In addition to food and drinks, there’s a 165-foot video wall at the sportsbook inside Q Casino. Additionally, there are more than 100 hotel rooms, and Greyhound racing used to occur here. 
• Hard Rock Sioux City (Hard Rock): With more than 45,000 square feet worth of gaming space, Hard Rock in Sioux City has more than 50 hotel rooms and attractions like Anthem and Battery Park. There are also more than 850 slots to play. 
• Wild Rose: Clinton, Jefferson, and Emmetsburg (DraftKings): All Wild Rose locations in Iowa have DraftKings Sportsbooks on site. Currently, the sportsbook is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at all locations. However, there are kiosks in the casino that can be accessed during casino operating hours. 
• Diamond Jo Worth (FanDuel): With over 38,000 square feet of gaming space, Diamond Jo Worth opened in 2006. On-site, you’ll find a Woodfire Grille, The Kitchen Buffet, and fast options like Subway and Burger King. 
• Casino Queen Marquette: The sportsbooks are currently shut down. 
• Ameristar: There’s a sportsbook on site here, but there doesn’t appear to be any affiliation to a sportsbook in the state. Here, you’ll find six terminals, ten kiosks, and over 50 TVs to watch all your favorite sports. 
• Catfish Bend (Fanatics): At Catfish Bend, players will find a Fanatics Sportsbook on-site with a sports bar, slot machines, multi-screen video, odds displayed on the wall, and more. The betting counter closes at 8 pm ET Sunday through Thursday and at 9 pm ET Friday through Saturday.

On the borders of Iowa rest four legal sports betting states, including Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Below, we’ll examine how legal they are and how they stack up to Iowa.

Illinois Sports Betting

Illinois sports betting launched in June 2019, just months before Iowa. Here, both in-person and online sports betting is legal and you can wager on mobile apps, retail casinos/sportsbooks, and racetracks.

Kansas Sports Betting

Kansas sports betting launched in September 2022 after being signed into law in July 2022. Retail and online sports betting are available, and all of the top sportsbooks, like DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM, are available here.

Nebraska Sports Betting

As of May 2025, Nebraska sports betting is confined to retail-only, and a date for an online launch is unclear. In April, FanDuel and DraftKings declined to fund a petition to put sports betting on the ballot in the state.

Wisconsin Sports Betting

Sports betting in Wisconsin is available, but it came so in an interesting way. In this state, federally recognized Native American tribes can make agreements with the state to offer sports betting. In April 2025, a new agreement was approved between the state of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. You can only wager online while on reservation lands or when you’re on-site of an associated property.

There are no Iowa Online casinos or poker sites, as these gaming modes aren’t yet legal. There are more than a dozen retail casinos. While there are retail casinos, there don’t appear to be any immediate plans for Iowa online gambling to launch at any time soon.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Journalism, Richard Janvrin has been covering iGaming and sports betting since December 2018. His first freelance writing opportunity was with Gambling.com. Since then, Richard has covered sports and iGaming for notable outlets such as Bleacher Report, Forbes.