Iowa Sports Betting

The legal Iowa sports betting market includes retail sportsbooks at casinos and state-approved mobile apps.

Today, bettors can choose from numerous licensed online sportsbooks in Iowa to place wagers from anywhere within state lines. Iowa online sports betting regulations ensure licensed operators protect customers’ funds, advertise honestly, and promote responsible gambling.

Sports betting isn’t the only form of legal online gambling in Iowa. The state also regulates online horse racing betting and daily fantasy sports. Prediction market apps also operate in Iowa, although they face potential enforcement action in the near term (more on that below).

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Iowa Sports Betting Regulations

Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019 with the passage of SF 617. Under state law, each Iowa casino that holds a sports betting license may operate a retail sportsbook on casino property and up to two individual online sports betting platforms, also known as “skins.”

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) is responsible for overseeing sports betting. Those duties include issuing licenses and ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.

Here’s what readers need to know about Iowa sports betting rules:

  • Customers must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Iowa
  • Online betting is permitted
  • Remote registration is permitted
  • Wagering on pro and college sports is permitted

Iowa Sports Betting Apps

Online sports betting in Iowa is legal and regulated. Customers must be 21 or older and do not need to be residents to participate.

Bettors may register an online sports betting account, deposit, and withdraw from anywhere. However, Iowa sports bettors may only place real-money wagers when physically located within state lines.

Each casino may launch up to two separate online sportsbooks in partnership with licensed third-party providers such as FanDuel and DraftKings. Each platform may also include a mobile betting app.

Below is a list of all available sports betting apps in Iowa:

Iowa Sports Betting Bonuses

Most online sportsbooks in Iowa offer new customer bonuses. Competition is fierce in a state with over a dozen online sports betting sites, and betting bonuses are common.

The most common types of sports betting bonus offers at Iowa sportsbooks are usually:

Iowa law does not directly regulate sports betting bonuses, but state licensing requirements ensure only operators in good standing may offer sports betting.

As a result, bettors can expect fair treatment from licensed sportsbooks regarding promotions, security, and payments.

Iowa Sports Betting Locations

Iowa sports betting began in August 2019 with the launch of seven sportsbooks at casinos across the state on a single day.

All but one of Iowa’s 19 commercial casinos operate retail sportsbooks. Casino Queen Marquette remains the only casino without a sportsbook today, but it does hold an Iowa sports betting license.

Complete list of Iowa sportsbook locations:

  • The Sportsbook at Ameristar Council Bluffs
  • Fanatics Sportsbook at Catfish Bend Casino
  • FanDuel Sportsbook at Diamond Jo Dubuque
  • FanDuel Sportsbook at Diamond Jo Worth
  • Elite Sportsbook at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
  • Hard Rock Sportsbook at Hard Rock Casino Sioux City
  • Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Council Bluffs
  • Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe Council Bluffs
  • Caesars Sportsbook at Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo
  • Caesars Sportsbook at Isle Casino Bettendorf
  • Caesars Sportsbook at Prairie Meadows
  • Q Sportsbook at Q Casino
  • Elite Sportsbook at Rhythm City Casino
  • Elite Sportsbook at Riverside Casino
  • DraftKings Sportsbook at Wild Rose Clinton, Emmetsburg, and Jefferson

Iowa Sports Betting Law

IA Code § 99F lays the foundation for legal sports betting in Iowa, while additional regulations crafted by the IRGC fill in the details to establish a well-regulated industry.

Key Iowa Sports Betting Regulations

  • Each casino may operate up to two independently branded Iowa sports betting sites and online sportsbook apps
  • Casinos pay a $45,000 sports betting licensing fee and $10,000 per year after that
  • Iowa sports betting operators to pay 6.75% tax
  • Wagers allowed on pro and college sports but not on esports

How Iowa Legalized Sports Betting

In December 2017, the Iowa Gaming Association (IGA) announced plans to begin crafting sports betting legislation once federal prohibition of sports betting was repealed.

The Supreme Court struck down PASPA and cleared the way for lawmakers to act.

After one failed attempt to legalize sports betting in 2018, Iowa lawmakers moved again in 2019 to pass legislation that would bring in-person and online betting to Iowa.

In 2018 House Study Bill 592 was introduced, seeking to legalize and regulate sports betting. If passed, HSB 592 would have legalized wagering on professional and college sports at local casinos, race tracks, and via licensed online sports betting sites.

HSB 592 didn’t make it through the legislative process, but it set the stage for legislation the following year.

In 2019, lawmakers introduced SF 617 to legalize retail sports betting and allow local casinos to apply for online sports betting licenses. The bill sought to allow each casino to operate up to two separate betting sites, accept wagers on pro and college sports, and legalize daily fantasy sports.

The Iowa House and Senate both approved the bill to send it to the desk of Governor Kim Reynolds. Governor Reynolds signed the bill in May 2019, officially legalizing sports betting in Iowa. The first sportsbooks and betting apps went live a few months later.

Iowa Horse Racing Betting

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Horse racing betting is legal in Iowa and regulated by the IRGC. Customers must be 21 or older and physically located within state lines to place wagers via authorized horse racing betting sites (ADWs).

The state does not issue licenses to individual ADWs, but several major operators provide online horse racing betting to Iowa residents. Trackside parimutuel wagering is limited to the state’s single racetrack, Prairie Meadows in Dubuque.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and several casinos operate off-track betting parlors (OTBs) where customers can place simulcast wagers on races held around the country.

Iowa Daily Fantasy Sports

Iowa prohibited daily fantasy sports for longer than most states, but lawmakers legalized DFS in 2019 via HF 617.

The Iowa daily fantasy sports market is limited to two operators, but it provides effective regulation designed to keep players safe and DFS contests fair.

Learn more about the best Iowa fantasy sports sites and the legal landscape in BettingUSA’s guide below:

Iowa Prediction Markets

All the best prediction market apps operate in Iowa, but their legal status is uncertain.

Prediction market platforms like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Underdog Predict allow users to trade yes/no event contracts on exchanges registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). For example, a sports prediction market may ask whether the Minnesota Vikings will win their next NFL game, with users trading “yes” or “no” contracts based on the outcome.

Event contracts are federally regulated products, but the unanswered legal question is whether federal law takes precedence over state gambling law in Iowa.

In March 2026, Kalshi sued Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC) to preemptively stop the state from enforcing its gambling laws. Kalshi initiated the lawsuit after company officials met with the Attorney General’s office and left with the impression that enforcement action was imminent.

In September 2026, a judge for the Southern District of Iowa rejected Kalshi’s bid for a preliminary injunction that would prevent the state from enforcing its gambling laws and ordering Kalshi out.

Iowa hasn’t yet pursued legal action against Kalshi, but that door is now open. Although prediction market apps are legal under federal law, future enforcement action could result in operators like Kalshi suspending access to prediction markets based on sports events.

Iowa Online Gambling

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Online casinos and poker sites are illegal in Iowa, although some sweepstakes casinos offer casino-style games that offer a similar experience. See our full guide for more about the latest efforts to legalize online casinos in Iowa and where sweepstakes sites stand today:

Does Iowa Have An Online Lottery?

No. Iowa does not have an online lottery, and lottery courier services are not allowed. Learn more:

Iowa Electronic Markets Election Betting

Iowa is home to the nation’s first legal election betting exchange, Iowa Electronic Markets (IEM).

IEM is run by the University of Iowa’s Henry B. Tippie College of Business and allows politically minded people from around the world to wager on the outcomes of real-world events, particularly US elections.

The IEM website explains the basic idea in simple terms:

The Iowa Electronic Markets is a futures market run for research and teaching purposes. Traders can buy and sell real-money contracts based on their belief about the outcome of an election or other event. Using this “wisdom of crowds,” the price of a contract at any given time is a forecast of the outcome.

IEM is not licensed or regulated as a sports betting operator or financial trading platform, but it is permitted to operate in the US because it is run for research purposes and does not generate a profit.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has issued two no-action relief letters in response to queries from IEM asking for permission to operate. Those letters explain that the CFTC will not pursue legal action against IEM for as long as it operates in its current format.

IEM is open to customers worldwide but limits each individual to invest between $5 and $500 as it is designed for research purposes only.

Readers interested in participating or learning more can visit the Iowa Electronics Market website.

With IEM, users trade contracts based on future political events, national fiscal policy, and other future events. In simple terms, IEM creates contracts for each side of an outcome in an event such as the Presidential election. Users may buy and sell contracts at whatever value they deem appropriate, much like a traditional exchange. Generally, market forces dictate the value of each contract.

For example, a contract on the next President being a Republican would expire at a value of $1.00 if the Republican nominee goes on to win the election. Likewise, that same contract would expire worthless if the Democrat candidate wins. During the run-up to the election, people would buy and sell contracts for each candidate in an attempt to cash in on their prediction.

To continue our example, if the Republican is perceived to be slightly ahead, contracts on that candidate might trade at $0.55 by traders hoping to cash in on that candidate’s victory, which would result in each contract expiring at $1.00

IEM has, at times, proven to be more accurate at predicting future outcomes than traditional polling data, hence the continued interest in the project.

Responsible Gambling in Iowa

Several responsible gambling resources are available in Iowa. Iowa sports betting regulations also require online sportsbooks to provide methods for customers to pause their accounts temporarily or indefinitely and impose wagering and deposit limits.

Additionally, anyone who suspects they have a gambling problem can contact the Iowa Department of Health Gambling Treatment Program or find additional resources through the National Council on Problem Gambling Iowa page.

Iowa Sports Betting Self-Exclusion

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission manages a voluntary self-exclusion program covering all casinos, race tracks, sportsbooks, online wagering, and daily fantasy sports.

Once enrolled, patrons may not enter the gaming floor or sportsbook of any facility licensed by the IRGC, and they will be unable to use any online sportsbook licensed in Iowa.

Gamblers can enroll by mail or in person for a five-year period or life via four methods:

  • Self-Exclude by Mail: Download and complete an enrollment form at home, but do not sign it. Take the form to a notary public in Iowa to sign it in the notary’s presence. Mail the completed form, a copy of the front of your active driver’s license or state ID, and a photo clearly displaying your head and shoulders to the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission.
  • Self-Exclude in Person at the IRGC in Des Moines: Call the IRGC at 515-281-7352 to schedule an appointment for assistance completing and submitting a self-exclusion request form. Bring a valid government-issued ID with you to the office.
  • Self-Exclude in Person at a Gambling Treatment Provider: Visit any Iowa Gambling Treatment Provider Agency (locations available statewide) to enroll in person. Bring a valid government-issued ID or passport and a photo including only your head and shoulders.
  • Self-Exclude at Any Licensed Gambling Facility: Visit any casino or race track licensed in Iowa for assistance with completing and submitting a self-exclusion request.

Important Iowa sports betting self-exclusion points:

  • Anyone on the self-exclusion list who enters the gaming floor or sportsbook at any licensed facility will be escorted from the property and potentially charged with criminal trespassing
  • Individuals who have self-excluded may still visit hotels, convention centers, and other non-gambling areas of licensed casinos and race tracks in Iowa
  • Gamblers may only submit self-exclusion requests for themselves; no one may self-exclude from Iowa sports betting and gambling on behalf of a friend, loved one, or family member
  • There is no way to end a self-exclusion period early or rescind a lifetime request, and there are no exceptions
  • Licensed Iowa online sportsbooks and casinos may operate internal exclusion programs separate from the IRGC’s self-exclusion program; these programs may continue to ban individuals indefinitely, even if they have completed a five-year exclusion period
  • Some Iowa betting sites and casinos may extend self-exclusion requests to all of their other properties nationwide

Iowa Sports Betting FAQ

Yes. Iowa lawmakers legalized retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in May 2019. The first retail sportsbooks and sports betting sites launched three months later.

Bettors can visit land-based casinos to place wagers in person or download mobile sportsbooks to bet online from anywhere in state lines.

Iowa law enforces a minimum age of 21 to bet on sports.

Personal preference plays an important role in determining the best Iowa sports betting sites for individual bettors. Some sportsbooks excel in providing competitive lines, while others offer rewarding loyalty programs.

With that said, the best sportsbooks are generally large, name-brand providers that have the experience and funds to develop and invest in promotions, technology, and user experience. Some of the leading apps in terms of popularity based on monthly revenue include:

  • Caesars Sportsbook
  • DraftKings Sportsbook
  • FanDuel Sportsbook
  • BetMGM Sportsbook

Iowa’s sportsbooks are quite spread out geographically, making Caesars Sportsbook at Prairie Meadows the most convenient option for anyone in Des Moines. Bettors can find it in Altoona, a suburb just a short drive to the northeast of Des Moines proper.

Additionally, Des Moines residents can download any licensed sports betting app to place wagers from anywhere in Iowa.

No. Bettors can download, register, deposit, and bet online from anywhere within state lines. Iowa’s in-person registration requirement ended in January 2021.

Yes, college sports betting is legal in Iowa. State law permits sportsbooks to accept wagers on NCAA Division I, II, and III games with one exception:

Sportsbooks may not offer prop bets on individual athletes who play for Iowa colleges.

For example, bettors cannot wager on how many touchdowns the Hawkeyes’ running back will score in his next game.

The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission permits a limited variety of player prop bets on athletes who play for out-of-state colleges.

The definition of legal sports wagering found in IAC 491-13.1 reads as follows:

“Sports wagering” means the acceptance of wagers on an authorized sporting event by any system of wagering as authorized by the commission. “Sports wagering” does not include placing a wager on the performance or nonperformance of any individual athlete participating in a single game or match of a collegiate sporting event in which a collegiate team from this state is a participant…”

No. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has considered the matter and an Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) meeting concluded in June 2020 that the definition of an “authorized sporting event” does not include esports.

Here’s how the law defines an “authorized sporting event” in Iowa:

“Authorized sporting event” means a professional sporting event, collegiate sporting event, international sporting event, or professional motor race event.

“Authorized sporting event” does not include a race as defined in section 99D.2, a fantasy sports contest as defined in section 99E.1, minor league sporting event, or any athletic event or competition of an interscholastic sport as defined in section 9A.102.

Despite the setback for Iowa esports fans, there is some hope that the law can be amended to authorized esports betting. Multiple stakeholders, including the Iowa Gaming Association, are hopeful they can convince the legislature to introduce an amendment clearing the way for esports betting.

Yes. Licensed Iowa betting sites operate under conditional licenses issued by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. State law enforces stringent security, fairness, and responsible gambling rules on licensed operators.

All online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps listed on this page hold Iowa licenses. Additionally, bettors can confirm the validity of any sportsbook’s license by visiting the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission website and selecting any casino to view its authorized online sports betting partner.

No. Retail sportsbooks and online sports betting sites may accept wagers from residents and non-residents alike. As long as you’re within state lines, you’re welcome to bet online from anywhere in Iowa.

Maybe, depending on where you’re going.

Iowa sportsbooks employ geolocation technology to verify customers’ physical locations and prevent them from placing wagers from outside state lines.

However, many states now offer online sports betting. Some Iowa sportsbooks allow bettors to use their same login information to place wagers from other states where those sportsbooks hold licenses. Others require customers to sign up for new accounts to place bets from different states.

Yes. Iowa passed legislation in 2019 to formally legalize and regulate daily fantasy sports. Iowa fantasy sites must acquire licenses to offer their services in Iowa and conform to various consumer protection regulations.

No, although the passage of an online casino bill somewhere down the line is not out of the question. Iowa is home to many large sports betting brands that have an online casino presence in other states, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. It’s almost a certainty that they’ll be lobbying for expanded online gambling.

In addition, Illinois lawmakers have advanced online casino bills as far as committees. If the neighboring state pushes ahead, it’ll put pressure on Iowa to do the same.

By 2021, Iowa generated over $175 million in sports betting revenue, most of it from online. However, revenue is taxed at just 6.75%, so sports betting has only generated roughly $13 million for state coffers.