Q Casino Sportsbook App

Iowans, welcome! Iowa is now a full-fledged sports betting state. There are both mobile and land-based options blooming all over the Hawkeye State.

The first sports betting app to launch in Iowa was William Hill. The sportsbook out of the UK is a major name in the industry. The sportsbook out of the UK is a major name in the industry. With the promo code “LINEUPSRF,” you can get a $500 risk-free bet with William Hill. Q:How do I make a bet? A:Bets can be made by a sportsbook writer or by going directly to any kiosk located in the Sportsbook or on the second level of the casino, near High Limits. Q:Are cash and credit both accepted to make a bet? A:Sportsbook is cash only. Indiana sports betting launched days before the start of the 2019 NFL season. That early-September date was only for in-person retail sportsbooks at Indiana casinos, racinos, and off-track betting parlors. The first Indiana sports betting apps began rolling out on October 3, with BetRivers and DraftKings Sportsbook christening the online market.

The boom of sports betting in the state is quite impressive for its relative speed. After all, sports betting only launched in the state in August 2019. The launch came just three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF617 into law.

This page looks at the best sportsbooks in Iowa, how to claim bonus offers, how to fund your account and which apps are next to launch. Read on for all the latest news and updates.

Legal Iowa online sports betting apps

The drive for state regulated sports betting came from a US Supreme Court decision in May 2018. After a court case brought by New Jersey, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.

The act created what was effectively a federal ban on sports betting. The Supreme Court ruled that this contravened states’ rights under the 10^th amendment. Now Iowa is reaping the benefit of the return of powers to state government and sports betting is making great progress.

The thirteen casinos with sports betting in place during the permitted 17 days of August pulled in over $8.5 million of bets producing revenues of $2.2 million and state gambling taxes of $146k.

These numbers will rapidly increase. In the year since New Jersey introduced sports betting the state has seen $3.8 billion in bets and nearly $250 million of sports betting revenue. Before legalization most of this money would have flowed offshore to black market operators where Iowa customers had no legal protection.

For a comprehensive guide to the who, what, where and when of Iowa sports betting read on!

How old do you have to be to bet in Iowa?

The minimum legal age for gambling in Iowa is 21.

What sports can I bet on in Iowa?

The typical range of sports betting options offered by both casinos and online operators includes:

• Auto Racing–NASCAR (including Monster Energy Series, Xfinity Series Truck Series); Formula One; IndyCar
• Baseball–MLB and MLB Draft; NCAA – Division 1; Minor League Baseball – Triple A
• Basketball–NBA and NBA Draft; WNBA and WNBA Draft; NCAA – Division 1; Euro League and Euro Cup; International Basketball Federation (country v. country qualifiers/games/tournaments)
• Bowling–Pro Bowling Tour
• Boxing–International Boxing Federation; WBA; WBC; WBO; Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports
• Cricket–Men’s and Women’s World Cup; International Cricket Council
• Darts–PDC
• Football–NFL and NFL Draft; NCAA – Division I; Canadian Football League; Arena Football League
• Golf—PGA; PGA Tour Champions; LPGA; Champion’s Tour; European Tour; Senior European Tour; International Events (i.e. Ryders Cup, Presidents Cup); World Golf Championships; Koran Ferry Tour
• Hockey–National Hockey League and National Hockey League Draft; NCAA – Division 1; International Ice Hockey Federation; World Championships
• Lacrosse–NCAA – Division 1
• Mixed Martial Arts–Ultimate Fighting Championship; Bellator MMA; One Championship; Professional Fighters League; Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports
• Olympics–Summer and Winter (including trials)
• Rugby–Six Nations; World Cup; World Rugby (International country v. country qualifiers/games/tournaments); Four Nations
• Sailing–Americas Cup; International Sailing Federation
• Soccer–FIFA Sanctioned Events; Major League Soccer; UEFA – Champions League, EUROPA and Super Cup; English Premier League; Spanish La Liga; German Bundesliga; Italian Serie A; French Ligue 1; Mexican Liga Bancomer; NCAA – Division 1
• Softball–NCAA – Division 1
• Tennis–United States Tennis Association; Association of Tennis Professionals; Women’s Tennis Association; International Tennis Federation; NCAA – Division 1
• Track and Field–International Association

As mentioned above, the big exception under Iowa law is prop bets on in-state college sports.

What types of sports bets does Iowa offer?

Not only do modern sports books allow you to bet on an enormous range of sports, they also allow a lot of different bet types. Some of the most common are:

Moneyline bets

Moneyline bets are the easiest of all—which team will win a specific game. The Moneyline simply presents the odds of a team winning outright.

The odds are expressed as a positive or negative number e.g. -150 or +140. The plus and minus signs are important!

Odds expressed as -150 mean you have to bet $150 to win $100. If your winnings are less than the bet amount it means you’re betting on the favorite. Odds of +140 mean you win $140 for every $100 you bet. You are betting on the underdog.

An easy way to remember is “minus means less money plus means more money.”

Moneyline odds are used for a lot of the different bet types.

Parlay bets

A parlay links two or more wagers into a single bet. The upside is that the bettor can win more money than betting on each game independently. The downside is that you have to win all the bets in the parlay or you walk away with nothing.

Parlays with several legs (each bet in the parlay is often called a leg) are extremely hard to win. On the other hand they offer the chance to win life-changing money for only a small initial stake.

Spread bets

Spread bets are the most popular form of sports betting in the US. To win you have to beat the spread which is a line set by the bookmaker. The point spread represents the difference between the winning and losing team’s scores.

These bets work well in games where many points are scored by both teams, but suit games like soccer less well.

The odds are always set slightly in the bookmaker’s favor and are typically offered at 11-10 odds. In other words you have to bet $11 to win $10.

Futures bets

Like all bets these are bets placed on an event in the future, but in this case, not the near future. In a futures bet you don’t bet on a match taking place tomorrow. Futures bets are placed on events well into the future, but normally within the same sports season.

If the NFL season begins in September and you place a bet on who will win the Super Bowl at the end of the season, then you have made a futures bet.

Totals bets

Totals bets are made on the score of both teams added together. You can bet on the “over” or the “under.”

There are variations, but the basic Totals bet is on the final score of the game. If you bet the over and the score is higher than the quoted number you win. If you bet the under and the score is lower you win.

For example in the recent match between the Dodgers and the Padres, the Totals bet was quoted as:

• LA Dodgers O 10.5 +100
• SD Padres U 10.5 -130

The odds aren’t exactly the same for the over and the under. The difference represents the price of the bet, and ensures the sportsbook makes a margin.

Teaser bets

Teaser bets are points spread bets where the spread is adjusted by points in the player’s favor on more than one game. They are normally offered only on football and basketball games.

In football, a player may move the published point spread 6.5, 7, 10 or 14 points. In basketball, the options are 4, 5, or 6-points.

The bet is like a parlay because you are adding several wagers into one bet. In moving the point spread that applies to the bet you make the individual legs easier to win. Naturally the odds the sportsbook offers change depending on how far you shift the spread.

Calculating all this is easy when you place your bets online. Before you finally commit to making your bet, you can experiment with different options to get the payout you are looking for given how much you want to bet.

Round Robin bets

Round Robin bets allow you to lay several parlay bets at the same time in a single wager.

To create the bet you make a list of the teams you want in your parlays and the number you want in each parlay. E.g. you might choose to add 8 teams to your list with each parlay consisting of three legs. The round robin then creates a list of all the combinations of parlays for those three teams.

Unlike a standard parlay, you don’t have to win every wager in the bet to win. In a round robin you must win every leg of a parlay, then parlays you have won are added together to create your payout.

Calculating payouts is tricky if you try to do it by hand! The eight team three leg parlay above produces 56 different parlay bets. You must wager the same amount on each bet, so wagering $2 on each would produce a round robin with a total cost of $112.

The odds are different for each parlay, so in each case your $2 wager will produce a different amount if you win.

Fortunately, online mobile sports betting apps do all the work for you.

Live Betting

A lot of Iowans have accounts at offshore online sports betting sites. Not only is it illegal for these to offer sports betting, their product is far inferior to the legal operators. One of the biggest differences is in-game or live betting.

In-game betting refers to bets made after a match has started. Most of the normal bets remain available because modern legal sports betting operators have access to near real time data feeds. This means they can adjust their odds as play progresses, second by second.

Offshore operators do not get access to these data feeds, so they can’t offer anything near the range of opportunities the legal market puts on the table.

Live betting is one of the main reasons to switch from your offshore account to the legal operators in Iowa. Of course, you also get legal recourse in case something goes wrong, and you know your deposits are safe.

In mature sports betting markets like the UK, around 80% of all sports betting is now in-game betting. It’s extremely popular because it adds so much fun to watching a game—especially if you have friends around.

In-game bets can be as simple as who will score the next touch down, or what the score will be at the end of the next quarter. But many more betting options are available. When you get your first account set up, give it a try!

How do I start online sports betting in Iowa?

Until Jan 2021, all players must register in person to open an online account. This means going to your local casino.

At the moment, there are several sites available in the state. You can register for these sites by going to one of the following casinos:

DraftKings Sportsbook

Use this link to download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

• Wild Rose Casino (Clinton): Opening hours; Mon-Wed: 2 PM – 10 PM, Thu & Sun: 10:30 AM – 10 PM, Fri-Sat: 10:30 AM – 11 PM. Address: 777 Wild Rose Drive, Clinton, IA 52732.
• Wild Rose Casino (Emmetsburg): Opening hours; Mon, Thu, & Fri: 11 AM – 11 PM, Tue-Wed: 2 PM – 10 PM, Sat-Sun: 9 AM – 11 PM. Address: 777 Main Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536.
• Wild Rose Casino (Jefferson): Opening hours; Mon – Thu: 11 AM – 10 PM, Fri: 11 AM – 11 PM, Sat: 9 AM – 11 PM, Sun: 9 AM – 10 PM. Address: 777 Wild Rose Drive, Jefferson, IA 50129.

PointsBet Sportsbook

Use this link to download the PointsBet Sportsbook app

• Catfish Bend Casino: Opening hours; Open 24 hours. Address: 3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA

William Hill online sportsbooks

• Prairie Meadows Casino: Opening hours; Mon-Fri: 10 AM – 12 AM, Sat: 8 AM – 1 AM & Sun: 8 AM – 12 AM. Address: 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA 50009.
• Lakeside Casino: Opening hours; Mon-Fri: 10 AM – 12 AM, Sat: 8 AM – 1 AM, Sun: 8 AM – 12 AM. Address: 777 Casino Drive, Osceola, IA 50213.
• Isle Casino Bettendorf: Opening hours; Mon-Thurs: 10 AM – 12 AM, Fri: 10 AM – 1 AM, Sat: 8 AM – 1 AM, Sun: 8 AM – 12 AM. Address: 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA 52722.
• Isle Casino Waterloo: Opening hours; to be announced. Address: 77 Isle of Capri Blvd, Waterloo, IA 50701.

Bet.Works online sportsbooks

• Rhythm City Casino: Opening hours; Mon-Thurs: 11 AM – 11 PM, Fri: 11 AM – 1 AM, Sat: 10 AM – 1 AM, Sun: 10 AM – 11 PM. Address: 7077 Elmore Ave, Davenport, IA 52807.
• Riverside Casino: Opening hours; Mon-Thurs: 11 AM – 12 AM, Fri: 11 AM – 1 AM, Sat: 10 AM – 1 AM, Sun: 10 AM – 11 PM. Address: 2184 Hwy 22, Riverside, IA 52327.
• Grand Falls Casino: Opening hours; Mon-Fri: 12 PM – 12 AM, Sat: 8 AM – 12 AM, Sun: 10 AM – 12 AM. Address: 1415 Grand Falls Blvd, Larchwood, IA 51241.

Other online sites will be available soon. Check TheLines for the latest announcements.

Opening a mobile sports betting account online

After January 2021 the process gets a lot easier. No longer will you have to take a drive to get started sports betting.

First check the reviews of Iowa online sportsbooks at TheLines and decide which best suits your needs. New player offers and bonuses change so make sure you get the best offer by using the sign-up link on the review page.

First you will need to download the app if you want to bet using your mobile. If you only use your computer, then downloads are not normally necessary, but it depends on the site.

On the sign-up page enter your personal details, then choose your screen name and password.

Before you can begin betting you will need to make a deposit. Again this is one advantage of using legal sportsbooks instead of offshore sites. Deposits are easy and there are many payment methods accepted.

If you have a sports betting account in another state where it is legal, you cannot use that account in Iowa. You will need to open a new account for your Iowa betting.

How do I deposit cash at an Iowa online sports betting site?

The deposit methods in available in Iowa will include:

• In person at the cashier’s cage of the casino offering the online app.
• Credit/debit cards
• Online bank transfer
• Casino prepaid cards
• PayPal
• NETELLER
• ACH eCheck
• PayNearMe

Q Casino Sportsbook App Download

Withdrawing your winnings is just as easy. Not all deposit methods allow withdrawals, e.g. PayNearMe, but most will be available.

A major advantage of the legal state-regulated sports betting market is that it is easy and fast to get your cash back. The offshore unregulated market takes much longer since US banks are not allowed to process their transactions. Another important reason to switch to the state-regulated Iowa sportsbooks.

Iowa’s sports betting law

Iowa’s legislators have passed a law which sets the state up to get the maximum benefit from legal sports betting—with a couple of minor exceptions.

The SF617 law consists of a series of amendments to the existing Gambling Games Regulation. The main points of the law are:

• The regulator is the existing IRGC
• Gambling taxes levied on the operator’s revenues are 6.75 percent. This matches the rate in Nevada
• License fees are low compared to other states at $45,000 with a $10,000 renewal fee
• Sports betting licenses are restricted to IRGC licensed casinos
• Mobile sports betting is allowed
• Up to two brands (skins) are permitted for each licensee
• Until Jan 1, 2021 bettors who want to register for mobile sports betting must open their accounts in person at a casino
• No in-game prop bets are allowed on in-state college teams. Betting on other college games is allowed

Iowa’s new law got a vote of support from the American Gaming Association (AGA):

“The state of Iowa has set its legal sports betting market up for success with a reasonable tax rate, mobile wagering, strong consumer protections and provisions that put responsible gaming at the forefront. Through the leadership of champions like Iowa Gaming Association President and CEO Wes Ehrecke, Iowans will now have a safe alternative to the illegal market that has thrived in the Hawkeye State and across the country.”

Weaknesses will limit the success of the new law

Iowa has only authorized online sports betting. It has not legalized other online casino games such as slots, roulette or poker.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania both allow a wide variety of games and this makes a big difference. The research shows that restricting access to a wide range of online gambling reduces the rate at which people switch from the black market operators to the legal market.

Put this together with the delay to opening accounts online, and the expected profits for casinos and gambling taxes will be lower than otherwise. More importantly, it will still leave some Iowans at the mercy of offshore illegal operators where they have no legal protection.

Nevertheless, sports betting should go well. It helps that no neighboring states offer legal sports betting, although Illinois will launch sometime after July 2020.

Assuming sports betting goes well Iowa legislators will have an incentive to add other online gambling games in the future.

Where can I make legal sports bets in Iowa?

The IRGC licenses 19 casinos in Iowa. The thirteen which managed to get sports betting launched by the end of August 2019 are highlighted in bold.

The only casino which has not applied for a licence is the Casino Queen Marquette (in italics). It has an application in preparation.

Top international sports betting brands come to Iowa

Four of the sportsbooks are operated by William Hill: Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino, Lakeside Hotel & Casino, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf, and Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.

William Hill also launched the first mobile Iowa sports betting app on August 21.

Elite Casino Resorts, which owns the Rhythm City Casino Resort has struck a deal with UK company BetFred to provide live and mobile sports betting. Using the Bet.Works brand, this is BetFred’s first venture into the US market.

Both William Hill and Bet.Works have launched live mobile applications. The other casino groups will follow shortly.

Each casino is allowed to launch two brands, so expect the market to become even more competitive. There could be a total of 38 brands offering online sports betting by the middle of 2020.

Other top US and international brands expected to launch in Iowa include:

• 888
• Bet365
• BetAmerica
• Caesars Sportsbook

Will I be able to play online poker and online casino games in Iowa?

No, only online sports betting is legal under the new laws. If you find yourself at a site that offers online casino games or poker, you have strayed onto a black market site or a site where you are not allowed to register from Iowa—best to leave. Use the links on TheLines review pages to make sure you are going to the official sports betting sites in Iowa.

Iowa sports betting is still relatively new, but Iowa bettors continue to set records, making it quite successful within the Midwest betting market.

Through 2021 and beyond, Iowa sports bettors can join any legally-licensed online sportsbook from home. With no need to register in-person, you have full access to all the promotions without traveling. And you can easily compare the ten available apps to find the best odds before placing a bet.

Iowa Sports Betting Updates

• theScore Bet Launches Iowa Sportsbook App – On February 16, 2021, theScore Bet officially launched its Iowa sports betting platform, available for iOS and Android, in partnership with Penn National Gaming.
• Iowa Sets Third Consecutive Monthly Record-In November 2020, sports bettors in Iowa wagered $87 million, more than any month prior. It also beats October 2020’s $81.9 million as well as September 2020’s $72.4 million. Before that, the most wagered in one month was in September 2019, and it was under $60 million.
• Iowa Sports Betting Exceeds $100 Million In One Month- Breaking the record for the fourth consecutive month, Iowa sportsbooks handled over $100 million in wagers in December 2020. This is reported as we enter the second week since the in-person registration requirement sunset on January 1, 2020.
• Iowa Sports Betting No Longer Requires In-Person Registration- As of January 1, 2020, you can register at an online sportsbook from anywhere. To place a bet at an Iowa sportsbook, you only need to be physically located within state lines.
• BetRivers Launches In Iowa:On January 1, 2021, the BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa is available in Iowa via Android, iOS, and desktop. They currently offer a 100% first-deposit match up to $250, and the wagering requirement is only 1x.
• BetMGM Launches In Iowa: As of January 4, 2021, BetMGM Iowa Sportsbook is now available to anyone over 21 and located in Iowa. This is a top-rated online sports betting platform, and new members receive a risk-free bet up to $600.

Reviews Of Iowa’s 5 Best Sports Betting Apps & Sites

William Hill Iowa

Visit: William Hill Iowa and Claim a $500 Risk Free Bet

• Welcome Offer: Risk-free bet up to $500
• Available Platforms: iOS App, Android App, Web Browser
• Retail Partner: Isle Bettendorf, Isle Waterloo, Lakeside, Prairie Meadows
• Stable and accessible app
• Strong live betting component
• Accepts PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as credit/debit, online bank transfer, and more.

William Hill is one of the olds sports betting companies in the world, with an international footprint. It is also quickly expanding across the US. Part of this expansion involved the launch of William Hill Iowa in 2019. William Hill was the first online sportsbook to launch in Iowa.

William Hill brings its international expertise to its sportsbook app. It has one of the strongest apps on the market when it comes to stability and ease of use. It’s simple to sign, up, deposit, and get betting. William Hill also excels in its regular promotions and live betting options.

BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa (10/10)

Visit: BetMGM Iowa and get up to $600 Risk Free Bet Bonus

• New members receive a risk free bet up to $600 with code SHARP
• Available via iOS app, Android app, and Desktop
• Partnered with Diamond Jo Dubuque
• Highest rated app (tied with DraftKings Sportsbook)
• Best futures market in the US
• Best welcome bonus in Iowa
• Range of promotions and odds boosters
• Great rewards program
• Online bank transfer is the best way to deposit at BetMGM Iowa.

BetMGM is also expanding rapidly across the US, launching sportsbook apps and its online casinos in several states. It’s one of the most popular gambling apps in the country, in part because it is backed by the MGM brand name.

The BetMGM Sportsbook iOS app also has a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on the App Store, which is tied with DraftKings for the best score of any sports betting app.

BetMGM Iowa also offers great odds compared to the rest of the market, and they consistently boast the best win potential for futures betting.

FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa (9.75/10)

Visit: FanDuel Iowa and Claim a $1,000 Risk Free Bet

• New members receive a risk-free bet up to $1,000
• Available via iOS app, Android app, and Desktop
• Partnered with Diamond Jo Worth
• Tons of daily promotions and tournaments
• Great odds boosters on the hottest events
• Hyper-competitive odds
• Desktop version of sportsbook integrated with FanDuel DFS
• App is stable, powerful, and intuitive
• PayPal is the best way to deposit and withdraw at FanDuel.

FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa has a relatively unexciting welcome bonus. While a risk-free bet up to $1,000 is a good way to acquaint yourself with this high-quality platform, the same or similar is offered by others.

However, FanDuel Iowa offers a remarkable number of promotions on a daily basis that goes far beyond the welcome offer. These are some of the most inventive and enticing offers in sports betting, including odds boosters, cashback offers, free tournaments, and countless more.

That’s on top of some of the best odds in Iowa, consistently beating out its biggest competitors like DraftKings and BetMGM.

DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa (9.75/10)

Visit: DraftKings Iowa and get up to $1,000 Deposit Match Bonus

• New members receive a 20% first-deposit bonus up to $1,000
• Available via iOS app, Android app, and Desktop
• Partnered with Wild Rose Casino locations
• Highest deposit-bonus in Iowa
• Best rated app in the app store
• Huge number of promotions and contests
• Excellent odds and special offers
• PayPal makes depositing and cashing out easy at DraftKings Iowa.

DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa is one of the best options for sports bettors in the state. Few other brands can compete with the sheer number of lines offered here on a daily basis, and the odds are some of the most competitive on the planet.

Alongside FanDuel and BetMGM, DraftKings makes the Iowa sports betting market one of the best in the US.

New members at DraftKings Iowa can receive a 20% welcome bonus up to $1,000. If you opt in, you’ll receive $1 in bonus cash for every $5 in real-money bets placed. You must deposit $5,000 to receive the maximum, but a deposit of just $5 qualifies for the promotion.

PointsBet Sportsbook Iowa (9/10)

Visit: PointsBet Iowa and get $2,000 in Risk-Free Bets

• New members receive 2 risk-free bets up to $2,000 with code BIGBONUS
• Available via iOS app, Android app, and Desktop
• Partnered with Catfish Bend Casino
• “No Juice” events with +100 odds on select spread bets
• Great daily odds boosters
• Huge selection of international events
• Sports coverage partnership with NBC Sports
• The easiest way to deposit

PointsBet is a new sports betting brand in the US, but it’s already becoming a highly regarded choice where it’s licensed. For sports bettors in Iowa, it’s one of the best choices for its great odds, including the “no juice” promo on select points spread events, such as the NFL playoffs.

PointsBet also offers PointsBetting, where you place an over/under totals bet, and the amount you win or lose is determined by the exact score. The more correct you were, the higher your win. The more incorrect, the higher your losses.

The PointsBet Iowa welcome bonus is a risk-free bet up to $500 on fixed-odds events, and a $1,500 risk-free bet on a PointsBetting wager. Make sure to use the code BIGBONUS.

BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa (8/10)

• New members receive a 100% deposit bonus up to $250.
• Available via iOS app, Android app, and Desktop
• Partnered with Wild Rose casino locations.
• Best deposit bonus terms in the US (1x wagering requirement)
• Daily bonus offers and odds boosters
• Competitive odds that sometimes beat out competitors
• The easiest way to deposit is with a debit card, but PayPal is also available.

BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa works great via desktop. However, it has the worst app in the state, so if you exclusively wager via mobile app, bet somewhere else.

But if you’re willing to play using your web browser, then you should join BetRivers Iowa for the welcome bonus alone. They offer new members a 100% deposit bonus up to $250. That essentially doubles your first deposit up to a total of $500.

The wagering requirement is also only 1x. That means you just need to bet the full amount a single time to withdraw any winnings. You can also use it for any combination of bets with odds of -200 or longer.

For a betting app in so many states across the US, you’d think they’d have a better app. But if it’s any consolation, BetRivers Indiana doesn’t even offer an iOS app at all.

All Iowa Sportsbook Sites

How To Place A Bet In Iowa

Step 1: Find The Right Online Sportsbook

You can safely join and bet at any legally-licensed online sportsbook in the state. You can find a complete list of available sites and apps in the list table, including the welcome bonus offer for each option.

Step 2: Register Remotely

As of January 1, 2021, you can register at any of Iowa’s online sportsbooks from anywhere. That includes outside of the state, but you must be physically inside the State of Iowa to wager.

Registration is similar to opening a bank account in terms of the information you need to provide. This includes your name, DOB, address, and phone number as well as a unique password for your account.

Step 3: Make A Deposit

You may need to provide a promo code during the signup process or while you make a deposit, so make sure you have SHARP copied for the BetMGM Iowa deposit bonus or BIGBONUS for the exclusive risk-free bet up to $1,500 from PointsBet Iowa.

In accordance with state law, Iowa sportsbooks cannot accept credit cards as a deposit method. That means a more limited number of options in the state, but most accept PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as online banking. BetRivers also accepts debit cards, while BetMGM does not accept PayPal or debit cards, making online bank transfer the best option.

Step 4: Place A Bet

Once you have money in your account, you can place any bet offered by the sportsbook. You can find a diverse selection of odds for the same event across the different sportsbooks, so it’s a good idea to compare beforehand.

IMPORTANT: Risk-free bets usually apply to the first wager only. It’s also important to read all terms and conditions before participating in any promotion.

Iowa Legal Sportsbooks

Betting at illegal sportsbooks adds unnecessary risk to your personal information and finances. These sites routinely sell their users’ information, refuse to pay winnings, or disappear (with your money) altogether.

Thanks to oversight by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), your personal information and finances are protected when you play at legally-licensed sportsbooks.

The Iowa.gov website also offers a great tax resource for bettors, including their policies on automatically withholding winnings of $600 or more (the same for a lottery win). All net winnings from gambling are subject to the 5% state income tax rate as well as the 24% federal income tax rate for a total of 29%.

Iowa Sports Betting Revenue

In October 2020, the IRGC reported that Iowa sportsbooks handled a record-breaking $81.9 million in wagering. The month before, the previous record of $59.34 million placed in September 2019 was topped in September 2020, with $72.4 million in wagers placed at sportsbooks across the state.

Iowa’s sports wagering has continued to grow, with $100 million bet among a population of 3.2 million.

Iowa’s sports betting revenue is on par with Indiana and Illinois relative to its population. In October 2020, Illinois saw over $400 million wagered among a population of 12.7 million. In November 2020, Indiana saw over $250 million wagered among a population of 6.7 million.

Bottom line: the Midwest is becoming an online sports betting haven in its own right.

How Iowa Compares To Other States

Compared to its Midwest neighbors Illinois and Indiana, Iowa offers a great sports betting market with a few shortcomings:

• You can’t use a credit card to make a deposit
• You can’t place prop bets on in-state college teams
• You can’t bet on TV competitions like the Oscars

Iowa Versus Indiana

Indiana has the most liberal sports betting laws in the country, even more so than New Jersey or Nevada. For example, Indiana sportsbooks can offer prop bets on in-state college schools. It’s also one of only two states (along with New Jersey) that allows bets on the Oscars and other TV competitions.

However, Indiana expressly prohibits esports betting. Iowa does not, but it is not currently an approved category for betting in the state.

Illinois Versus Iowa

Illinois still technically requires in-person registration for online sportsbooks, but the Governor suspended that requirement via executive order going into 2021.

That means Iowa beats Illinois in two key categories: the ability to bet on in-state college schools, and the pure number of options. While Iowa sports bettors can join at least ten sports betting apps, Illinois only had five at the time of writing this guide.

In Illinois, you can’t bet on in-state college teams, but you can use a credit card to deposit at a sportsbook.

Iowa Betting Successes And Failures

Iowa Sports Betting Success

When the in-person registration requirement expired on January 1, 2021, The Des Moines Register quoted Johnny Avello, the director of sportsbook operations at DraftKings, as saying, “I’d actually call it a first launch, because this is the correct way to do it. This gets everybody who wants to be involved to be involved.”

While online sports betting officially launched in Iowa in August 2019, the in-person registration requirement made the state an unviable market for many operators. With that requirement gone and each land-based casino able to open three online sportsbooks each, the Iowa market can finally grow to its true potential.

In the last few months of 2020, sportsbooks handled over $80 million in wagers, and that’s only expected to increase throughout 2021 due to the more viable market.

Where Could Iowa Improve Online Gambling

It’s highly unlikely that Iowa will change the law and allow prop bets on in-state college sports or credit card deposits. And the in-person registration requirement is behind us.

However, Iowa could improve its online gambling position by allowing esports bets and TV competitions like the Academy Awards, which could attract bettors from Illinois and elsewhere where those wagers aren’t offered.

Legalization Effort In Iowa

Less than one year after the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, Iowa was one of the first states with legal sports betting.

In April 2019, the Iowa Senate voted in favor of legalized sports betting by wide margins. Support also came from both sides of the aisle, with the majority of democrat and republican lawmakers agreeing to the legality.

Just a few days later, the bill passed the Iowa House, and it received Governor Kim Reynolds’s signature on May 13, 2019. It was officially legal to bet on sports in Iowa.

However, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) had to formulate all the rules and regulations, receive applications, and approve licenses. In other states, such as Michigan, that process took a year or more.

Amazingly, the IRGC had everything in place in time for William Hill to launch on August 15, 2019, the state’s first legal online sportsbook.

That means sports betting went from passing the Iowa Senate to a legal online sportsbook in about four months.

The biggest downside was the requirement to register at online sportsbooks in-person at their partnering land-based casino. Thankfully, that requirement sunset on January 1, 2021.

Timeline For Iowa Sports Betting

• May 13, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which opened the doors to sports betting across the country.
• May 14, 2018: The day after the overturn of PASPA, TheDes Moines Registerreports that Iowa lawmakers will consider legalizing sports betting in the state.
• February 7, 2019: Iowa lawmakers reject four sports betting bills in favor of planning a new one from scratch.
• March 21, 2019: Iowa sports betting bill will restrict prop bets on in-state college sports.
• April 17, 2019: Senate File 617, an Act legalizing sports betting, passes the Iowa Senate by a margin of 31 to 18.
• May 6, 2019: Senate File 617 is finalized and sent to the Governor.
• May 13, 2019:Governor Kim Reynolds approves Senate File 617, effectively legalizing sports betting in Iowa with the stroke of her pen.
• August 15, 2019: William Hill opens the first four retail sportsbooks in the state at Prairie Meadows, Lakeside Casino, Isle Casino Bettendorf, and Isle Casino Waterloo. William Hill also becomes the first online sportsbook available in the state.
• January 1, 2021: Iowa’s in-person registration requirement expires, allowing remote registration on any legally-licensed online sportsbook in the state.

Iowa Teams

Iowa Professional Sports Teams

Iowa does not have any major league sports teams. But betting on major league sports—particularly on teams located in nearby states—is highly popular in Iowa, particularly betting on the Super Bowl.

Iowa’s Favorite NFL Teams

It’s safe to say that these are the four most popular NFL teams in Iowa:

• Green Bay Packers
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Chicago Bears
• Minnesota Vikings

All four of these teams inspire tons of wagers from Iowans, and the variety of fans makes for an interesting layout of odds, which are dramatically affected by how many bets are placed.

Iowa’s Favorite MLB Teams

In 2019, SeatGeek released a map that showed the most popular sports teams by county in Iowa. The calculations were based on ticket sales, so they don’t perfectly represent the state’s fandom. But it’s a good indicator nonetheless.

The most popular team was the Kansas City Royals, followed by the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.

Iowa sportsbooks will have plenty of action, including tons of prop bets, on every MLB game, especially the ones that feature these teams.

Iowa’s Favorite NBA Teams

Outside of NCAAB D1’s March Madness tournament, basketball doesn’t inspire as many bets as football or baseball. However, it remains the third most popular sport in the country, and Iowa’s favorite teams include:

• Chicago Bulls
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Milwaukee Bucks

Iowa College Sports Teams

Iowa boasts four college teams that play at the D1 level in football and basketball, the two most popular college sports by far.

However, you can only bet moneyline, points spread, or totals for in-state college sports. Prop bets are only allowed for out-of-state college teams and professional sports.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The University of Iowa has the most successful D1 athletic program in the state, and they’re often one of the better teams in the country.

In basketball, the Hawkeyes appeared in the NCAA Tournament 26 times, and they made it to the Final Four for the third time in 1980.

In football, the Hawkeyes consistently rank in the AP Top 25, and they sat at number 17 at the time of writing this guide.

Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa State football currently sits at number 12 of the AP Top 25 College Football Teams. But even if they dropped since then, they’re almost always a team strong enough to beat any other D1 program. The Cyclones can also hoop it with the best of them, boasting 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, and making it to the Sweet 16 twice within the past decade.

Northern Iowa Panthers

While the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones reign supreme for most popular college teams, the Northern Iowa Panthers basketball program has been making a name for itself at the national level. Seven of eight total March Madness appearances have occurred since 2000, and they made it to the Sweet 16 in 2010.

Drake Bulldogs

Drake Bulldogs basketball team has only made it to the NCAA Tournament four times (most recently in 2008). But they’re a strong member of the Missouri Valley Conference, making for some exciting betting action, particularly for points spreads.

Other Sports To Bet On In Iowa

Iowa allows sportsbooks to list a range of sports. You can find bets on auto racing, golf, European soccer, Rugby, and beyond. In fact, you could attend a NASCAR race at Iowa Speedway while betting on the event with your mobile device.

However, some sportsbooks offer more sports than others. For example, BetMGM Iowa offers cycling and table tennis. William Hill Iowa does not.

If you’re betting on sports beyond popular college teams or major leagues in the US and Europe, make sure to explore the options before joining a sportsbook. You don’t want to be an MMA-specific bettor only to find out the sportsbook doesn’t offer lines on the fights.

Also, sportsbooks will take bet requests. If you don’t see something listed at your app of choice, consider reaching out to see if they’ll offer the bet. At worst, it might put it on their radar to add in the future.

Iowa Sports Betting FAQs

21. You must be at least 21 years old to bet at an online sportsbook in Iowa. The gambling age for all casinos and sportsbooks in Iowa is 21 except for at Meskwaki Casino in Tama, where the gambling age is 18. However, they do not offer a sportsbook.

It is legal to bet on college sports in Iowa. However, you cannot place prop bets on in-state college teams. All other forms of betting on in-state schools are allowed, including moneyline, points spread, parlays, futures, and totals. You can also place prop bets on out-of-state college teams.

Yes. Online sports betting in Iowa is safe as long as you join legally-licensed online sportsbooks. You can find links to all Iowa sports betting apps and sites at Gaming Today as well as exclusive welcome bonuses and detailed reviews. You can also verify legal sportsbooks on the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission website.

Yes. Most sportsbooks in Iowa offer an iOS app. However, some are better than others. DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and PointsBet offer the best iOS apps in Iowa according to their App Store ratings. The odds at the specific sportsbook are the same whether you use the iOS app, Android app, or desktop version.

Q Casino Sportsbook App Sign Up

Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa launched on February 19, 2020. This is a top-rated sportsbook app with competitive odds, daily promotions, and convenient banking methods, including PayPal. New members at DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa can receive a 20% first-deposit match up to $1,000. If you opt in, they’ll match every $5 wagered with $1 in bonus cash.

Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa is available for remote registration, which means you can join and wager from anywhere within state lines. This is among the best online sportsbooks in Iowa in terms of odds, promotions, banking options, and app quality. Right now, FanDuel Iowa offers new members a risk-free bet up to $1,000.

More Resources On Iowa Sports Betting

Q Casino Sportsbook

• Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), in charge of gambling regulations in the state, offers a robust resource for sports bettors and gambling operators alike.
• Monthly Gaming Revenue reports from the IRGC.
• Senate File 617, the legislation that legalized sports betting.
• Iowa sports betting rules and regulations that are enforced by the IRGC.
• A historical snapshot of Iowa sports betting talks immediately after the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, courtesy of The Des Moines Register.
• Des Moines Register Sports offers the latest news on Iowa college and high school sports as well as coverage on other sports.
• Sports news from The Gazette offers insights that extend beyond Cedar Rapids.
• Hawkeye Sports is a University of Iowa publication with up-to-the-minute coverage on all programs.
• Fight for Iowa is the official podcast of University of Iowa athletics.