A Comprehensive Guide to Iowa Sports Betting

Iowa Sports Betting Overview

Iowa was one of the first US states to legalize gambling post PASPA. The first wager was placed in August in 2019, and since then sports betting has thrived, both online and at licensed retail sportsbooks. Iowa is unique in the sense that it is one of the few states without a major pro sports team where sports betting is legal. 

It does have its unique set of rules, however, when it comes to sports betting. For example, you are allowed to bet on both pro and college sports, but betting on high school sports, politics and entertainment – related events is prohibited. With the current presidential elections coming up, I’m sure folks would be happy to have the opportunity to place a few wagers. This is where our sportsbooks come in. Hold tight! 

How old do I have to be to wager on sports in Iowa?

When gambling in Iowa, in order to place bets online or at retail sportsbooks you have to be 21 years of age or older. Offshore sportsbooks require users to be at least 18.

Best Sportsbooks Available in Iowa

We’ve created a breakdown of the best online Iowa sportsbooks for players to enjoy. These sites guarantee competitive odds, generous bonuses and a wide selection of betting options.

BetOnline: Best Sportsbook for Iowa Residents Overall

BetOnline

100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Slots, Video poker, Blackjack +5 more Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Live dealer, Progressive jackpot.

Live Dealer: No

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express +14 more Bitcoins, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Interac e-Transfer, Person2Person Transfers, Money Order, Bank Transfer, Check, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ripple, Tether, Usdt.

BetOnline is the best overall sportsbook for Iowa residents to join. It stands out for its extensive sports coverage and generous bonuses. There’s a whole range of sports betting options to explore, from niche markets like hockey, darts or martial arts, to major American leagues like the NFL or NBA. With pretty good odds going for Iowa NFL favorites: Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.

Aside from the typical sports, BetOnline let’s Iowa bettors take part in entertainment and politics related betting too. This is a hot choice for bettors, as never mind the season, there’s always a big event to place a wager on. To set the wheel in motion, new players can enjoy a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bet credit, plus a 100 free spins in the casino.

• Extensive betting markets including props on local teams
• Strong promotions and bonuses for new users
• Quick and reliable customer support
• User- friendly interface

• Limited withdrawal options compared to some competitors
• Processing times for withdrawals can be longer
• No dedicated app

Everygame: Best Sports Betting App in Iowa

Everygame

100% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Progressive jackpot, Slots, Roulette +3 more Blackjack, Video poker, Keno.

Live Dealer: No

Payment Options: Visa, American Express, MasterCard +7 more Bitcoins, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, EcoPayz, Paysafe, Check, Bank Transfer.

For those who enjoy betting on the go, then Everygame is the sports betting app we’d recommend. With a slick and modern user interface the betting experience couldn’t be smoother. Everygame even offers a mobile-specific promotion, which is a leading move compared to other sports betting apps. Living up to its name, Everygame’s selection of sports betting markets are on par with being the best.

To entice budget friendly players to join the fun, Everygame also has a generous welcome bonus for small deposits as low as $20, this can be used across the site.

• Excellent mobile platform with a smooth user interface
• Great range of betting markets and in-game betting options
• Attractive welcome bonus on small deposits

• Fewer banking options compared to larger sportsbooks
• Additional withdrawal fees for bank transfers and checks

SportsBetting.ag: Largest Selection of Deposit/Withdrawal Methods

SportsBetting.ag

100% up to $3,000 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Slots, Blackjack, Video poker +4 more Live dealer, Baccarat, Roulette, Craps.

Live Dealer: Yes

Payment Options: Bitcoins, Bitcoin Cash, Cardano +10 more Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Tether, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, Bank Transfer, Check.

SportBetting.ag has been in the business for a long time, which is a good indication that you can trust the site with your winnings. It offers a wide selection of deposit and withdrawal methods, including Bitcoin & other popular cryptocurrencies like Ethereum. Plus, with flexible limits, you can deposit as little as $20 to get started.

Its promotions are also leading the game, currently new players can sign up for a 50% welcome bonus, up to $500. This increases with a crypto deposit, currently sitting at a 100% deposit match for all new players up to $1000.

SportsBetting also offers other promos for players using other banking methods too, keeping in line with its reputation as being one of the best in the biz when it comes to your bankroll.

• Numerous deposit and withdrawal methods available
• Firm selection of promos for users
• Competitive odds on popular sports
• Live betting options for real-time wagering

• Limited live streaming options for events
• Occasional slow response times from customer service
• Interface feels slightly out of date

BetUS: Best Customer Service

BetUS

125% up to $2,625 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Blackjack, Slots, Video poker +2 more Roulette, Baccarat.

Live Dealer: Yes

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express +7 more American Express, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bank Transfer, Bankwire, Check.

BetUS excels in customer service, offering 24/7 support and comprehensive resources for bettors. It has live chat and email options which are both great, chat being the easiest to use by far. However, what really stands out are the different phone support lines available for each department e.g. casino, sports wagering, new accounts, crypto all have a dedicated phone number. This commitment to service makes it a strong choice for first-time bettors in Iowa.

BetUS also has a dedicated racebook section which gives you the option to wager on thoroughbred and harness races worldwide, if that’s your preferred type of race. Committed horse racing bettors will be happy to see that it also provides detailed lowdowns on every horse, jockey, and trainer, letting you analyze stats before placing bets.

• 24/7 customer support via chat, phone, and email
• Attractive bonuses and promotions
• Strong horse racebook section

• Slightly higher minimum bet requirements
• Interface can feel cluttered
• Fewer payment options

Bovada: Best Sportsbook for Beginners in Iowa

Bovada

100% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Slots, Video poker, Blackjack +5 more Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Keno, Live dealer.

Live Dealer: No

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, Bitcoins +6 more Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Secure Voucher, Bank Transfer, Check.

Bovada has an exceptionally good reputation as being amongst the best sports books in the business. What sets it apart from the rest, is its extensive range of sports betting options, its robust security measures and the modern “no nonsense” interface it has on both desktop and mobile.

Beginners can easily sign up in minutes, and have a range of low-minimum deposit methods at their fingertips. Their comprehensive betslip and prop builder tool makes it easy for first-time bettors to get a hang of sports wagering. Plus, customer service is available around the clock to answer any questions.

Bovada also provides a lucrative Refer-a-Friend bonus, allowing users to earn $200 for every friend they refer who joins and deposits funds. If the friend makes their initial deposit using Bitcoin, the bonus increases to up to $275.

• Modern and user-friendly interface ideal for beginners
• Strong promotions for new users
• Good selection of betting markets

• Customer service can be slow at times
• Limited withdrawal options

How We Evaluate Sports Betting Sites in Iowa

We understand the importance of selecting the right sportsbook for a successful betting experience in Iowa. Our meticulous evaluation process prioritizes key factors that matter to Iowa bettors, such as player safety, fast deposits and withdrawals, and solid odds selection. 

Plus, our recommended sportsbooks are accessible to Iowa residents and players within the state without any pesky work-arounds, such as VPNs.

Iowa Betting Sites: A Comparison

Here’s a quick breakdown of the offshore sports betting sites available in Iowa.

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, sports betting has been legal in Iowa since 2019 when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Bill SF-617 into law which legalized online and retail sports betting simultaneously. Like in many other states this bill came through as a result of PASPA being struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018. 

Although sports betting was quickly legalized for both in-person and online betting, online users initially faced a lengthy registration form each time they joined a state-regulated betting site. This was later abandoned in 2021. No specific laws or regulations have been put in place regarding offshore sites, giving Iowa residents access to offshore sites based outside of US jurisdiction. 

Online Sports Betting in Iowa

Iowa’s bettors have enjoyed online sports betting since it became legal. The state has quenched Iowa players’ thirst for online sports betting by partnering with a number of state sanctioned sports betting sites, the most famous being DraftKings.

However, in recent years, many Iowa players have turned to offshore sports betting sites because they offer sharper odds, bigger bonuses, and wagering on political and entertainment events.  

Land Based Sportsbooks in Iowa

Iowa has a growing portfolio of land-based sportsbooks available to sports gamblers. Most retail sportsbooks have in house-casino rooms too, and some come with a racetrack too. 

Horseracing in Iowa

Iowa is home to its most renowned racetrack, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, located in Altoona, just outside Des Moines. This premier facility offers a full range of live horse racing events, including thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, attracting fans and bettors from across the Midwest.

Daily fantasy Sports

DFS is legal within Iowa’s state borders. The Iowa Gaming and Racing Commission (IRGC) oversees the distribution of DFS licenses to operators, such as DraftKings who are well known for their DFS offerings. 

Who Regulates Sports Betting in Iowa?

The Iowa racing and gaming commission, regulate sports betting in Iowa. They provide the major operators with licenses and monitor safe gambling measures across the state. They are also in charge of implementing studies, reporting on gaming revenues and provide valuable information on the status of gambling in the Hawkeye state. Their offices are located in Des Moines.

Iowa’s Gambling Laws Compared to Neighboring States

Compared to its neighbors, Iowa’s sports betting landscape is more permissive. Iowa allows both online and in-person sports betting, regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. 

In contrast, Minnesota permits only in-person betting at tribal casinos, similarly to Nebraska who also only offer regulated land-based options. It doesn’t look like this will change for either state, the former recently had a bill aimed at legalizing online betting but was rejected by major online sports betting sites. Offshore sites are seeing an increase in usage as a result, which remain largely unregulated in the mentioned states.  

South Dakota also restrict betting in-person at specific casinos, with no online options. Illinois permits in person riverboat and horse race betting, and Wisconsin has a few riverboat casinos available for gamblers, but no regulated online sports betting options. Missouri, meanwhile, prohibits sports betting but allows daily fantasy sports (DFS) as an alternative.

The Future of Online Sports Betting in Iowa

As Iowa continues to see growth in the sports betting industry, it doesn’t look like online sports betting in the Hawkeye state is going to stop. Sports betting is big business! The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has recognized the appeal of online sports betting and is committed to maintaining a regulated, accessible market for residents.

Responsible Gambling in Iowa

Gambling should be enjoyed responsibly and seen as a form of entertainment. Remember, sports betting is not a reliable way to make money or solve financial difficulties. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please consider reaching out to these support resources for assistance.

• National Problem Gambling Helpline
• Your Life- Iowa
• The Iowa racing and gaming commission,

Iowa Gambling Legal Resources

• Bill SF-617 
• Iowa Gambling Laws

Iowa Sports Betting Sites Summary

Iowa is regarded as one of the most gambling-friendly states in the U.S., and its approach to gambling is well balanced. Regulated by the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, the state boasts a range of reputable online and in person options for sports bettors. 

We’ve covered that Iowa’s laws also set specific restrictions, particularly prohibiting wagers on local high school sports, politics and entertainment events. For Iowa residents interested in these types of bets, offshore betting sites present an alternative.  

Sportsbooks like BetOnline and Bovada offer competitive odds, generous bonuses and a range of betting options for the creative player.