Iowa Online Casino and Sportsbook Guide

Last Updated June. 28. 2024 11:27 AM PDT

This guide to Iowa online casinos and sportsbooks takes a look at the many offshore gambling opportunities available to IA players online, as well as a selection of the top in-person options.

Continue reading our guide to learn what the best online casinos are in multiple categories, an overview of Iowa gambling laws, and where to find the best in-person casinos, poker rooms, and other gambling opportunities within the state’s borders.

Disclosure: At GamblingSites.com, our mission is to connect you with the best gambling sites and informational resources available. If you click one of the links on our site, we may earn a commission payment at no extra charge to you.

Our Recommended Gambling Sites

Best Online Gambling Sites for Iowans

Bovada Best Online Gambling Site for Iowans

Bovada stands out as the top online gambling experience for Iowans, accommodating a diverse range of gambling preferences with a fully featured casino, sportsbook, and poker room.

The casino features over 300 slots including popular titles like Day at the Derby, Chicken Little, and Lucky Farm Bonanza. There are also 45 live dealer games that include blackjack tables, both American and European roulette, baccarat, and Super 6. Live dealer bets range between $5 and $50,000 per hand, and several of these tables feature unlimited seating as well

Bovada also offers a robust poker room with Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Low games. Players can join daily poker tournaments, and there are also weekly poker tournaments with a guaranteed $2,000,000 in prizes.

In addition, the Bovada sportsbook accepts wagers on NFL, NBA, and college sports. The sportsbook has a wide range of wagering options to enhance the betting experience as well, including in-game betting, parlay boosters, and the ability to craft custom prop bets.

DuckyLuck Casino Best Iowa Online Casino

Iowans can explore DuckyLuck Casino and discover why it’s one of the best casinos in the US. The extensive selection of 500 slots and 22 table games makes it the ideal destination for just about every gambling taste.

Additionally, the casino offers live dealer games such as roulette, baccarat, and European, Russian, and Baltic blackjack tables. Betting options on DuckyLuck’s live casino games range from $.50–$12,500 per hand.

New players from Iowa can take advantage of a 500% deposit match (30x playthrough requirement, deposit + bonus) on their initial deposit plus 150 free spins, and 600% on their first cryptocurrency deposit (40x playthrough requirement, deposit + bonus).

Iowan gamblers are automatically enrolled in the DuckyLuck player rewards program with their first deposit, affording them beneficial perks such as 10% daily cashback bonuses and free spins when depositing funds.

In addition, crypto gamblers can gain access to faster payouts, lower fees, and a 3% crypto rebate on every cryptocurrency deposit they make.

 

BetUS Best Sports Betting Site for Iowa Players

BetUS is the best sports betting platform online, featuring same-game parlays, an odds booster, custom prop bets, and more. You can even bet on Iowa teams including Iowa State Cyclones and Drake Bulldogs games.

The sportsbook accepts wagers on over 25 sports including NFL, NBA, and UFC events. BetUS also takes bets on horse races from around the world, including thoroughbred and harness racing from the UK, Europe, South Africa, and the world-famous Kentucky Derby.

BetUS also makes it easy for you to bet on upcoming games by conveniently placing all of the day’s sporting events on the sportsbook home page. Included among the site’s betting options are spreads, money lines, teasers, and live in-game betting whose odds fluctuate as the contest unfolds.

Ignition Best IA Poker Site

Ignition Poker is the best platform for Iowans to play poker online. It hosts Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo games. The casino offers Jackpot sit-and-go games that feature three-person tables with buy-ins ranging from $.50–$100 per game. Ignition also has fast-paced zone poker games that instantly move players to a new table after they fold, significantly cutting down on wait times and allowing Iowans to play more hands in a short amount of time.

There is an extensive selection of tournaments to choose from, and Ignition makes it easy to browse available tournaments by filtering results by tournament type, poker game, buy-in limit, and type of limit (pot, fixed, and no-limit games).

Among the site’s notable poker tournaments as of this writing include Super Saturdays for over $10,000,000 in prizes distributed across 150 events, as well as Triple Header Sundays for more than $235,000 in weekly prizes. Buy-ins to enter these tournaments range between $11 and $1,055.

Café Casino Best Fast Payout Casino for Iowans

Café Casino is the online casino with the fastest payout processing times, enabling IA gamblers to receive their winnings in a short amount of time. The platform processes Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Bitcoin SV nearly instantly, and Bitcoin transfers in as little as 24 hours. These are well below standard processing times, as many online casinos have cryptocurrency withdrawal times of up to 48 hours per transaction.

Players can also transfer funds to one another in a short amount of time as well, with instant Matchplay transfers and normal play transfers taking only 15 minutes.

Café Casino has low minimum withdrawal amounts as well. Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, and Litecoin all have low $10 minimums, with Ethereum’s $50 minimum withdrawal being the only exception.

SlotsandCasino Best Iowa Slots Casino

SlotsandCasino stands out as the best online casino for Iowans to play slots, including over 500 three-reel, video, and progressive jackpot slots. The casino carries games from leading operators such as Betsoft, Fugaso, Saucify, and Spinomenal, and features slots including Golden Buffalo, Wolf Rush, and The Angler.

Players can also take advantage of free spins as well, including up to 150 free spins with your first crypto deposit and up to 100 free spins on Mythic Wolf, Jumping Jaguar, and Five Times Wins with the first deposit (minimum $25).

Drake Casino Best Table Game Casino for Iowa Players

Iowans looking to play table games online can head to Drake Casino for the best experience. The casino features 12 blackjack variations alone; these include European, American, and single-deck blackjack games. There is also a craps table, three-card rummy, and both American and Zoom roulette tables.

Drake Casino has six poker games as well, including pai-gow, tri-card, and hold’em. There are also live dealer table games such as live roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. You can even try games before you choose to wager on them, something that not every online casino allows.

TrustDice Best IA Cryptocurrency Gambling Site

TrustDice is the best cryptocurrency gambling site for Iowans, with more than 8,000 games to choose from. The casino makes it easy to purchase crypto with direct integration with the Moonpay and Paxful cryptocurrency exchanges. IA gamblers can also receive free crypto with a lucrative cryptocurrency faucet that gives players free coins every six hours, with the ability to choose from nine coins including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, and EOS.

Players can also stake five cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, EOS, USDT, UDC) to receive free TXT coins every day. TXT is a proprietary token created by TrustDice; through the “play to mine” feature, players can earn TXT simply by playing on the platform.

Iowa Gambling Sites Compared

Site NameB.E.S.T. RatingWelcome BonusSpecialtyRead ReviewVisit Site
Bovada4.5100% up to $3,000Best Online Gambling SiteRead ReviewVisit Bovada
DuckyLuck Casino4.5500% up to $2,500 + 150 free spinsBest Online CasinoRead ReviewVisit DuckyLuck Casino
BetUS4.5125% for up $3,125 + 30 bets (100% for the sportsbook, 25% for the casino)Best Sports Betting SiteRead ReviewVisit BetUS
Ignition4.5100% up to $1,000Best Poker SiteRead ReviewVisit Ignition
Café Casino4.5350% up to $2,500Best Fast Payout CasinoRead ReviewVisit Café Casino
SlotsandCasino4.5300% up $1,500 + 150 free spinsBest Slots CasinoRead ReviewVisit SlotsandCasino
Drake Casino4300% up to $6,000Best Table Game CasinoRead ReviewVisit Drake Casino
TrustDice4100% for up to $90,000; 25 free spinsBest Cryptocurrency Gambling SiteRead ReviewVisit TrustDice

How We Choose the Best Gambling Sites for Iowans

Bonuses
Entertainment
Safety
Transactions

We use an objective rating system called the B.E.S.T. System to impartially rank online gambling sites in the United States:

  • Bonuses — We rank the bonus offerings of every online casino we evaluate, including bonuses for both new and existing players. We also assess each casino’s bonus terms and conditions, including playthrough requirements (also known as rollover and wagering requirements), minimum and maximum deposit/withdrawal amounts, and deposit match bonuses. 
  • Entertainment Features — Gambling should be a fun recreational activity, which is why we evaluate each casino’s entertainment features that enhance the online gambling experience. Online casinos score points for including features such as casino game variety and software from multiple operators, while sportsbooks with same-game parlays and custom prop bets are ranked higher than those without.
  • Safety — We closely look at the security protections that keep Iowans safe as they gamble. This involves evaluating each site for safeguards such as transport security layer (TSL) data encryption, secure privacy policies, and adherence to applicable local laws and regulations.
  • Transactions — Gambling sites with an array of payments and withdrawal options, such as credit card transfers and support for a wide range of cryptocurrencies, are rated more favorably. Sites that have low/no transaction fees and fast processing times are also rated higher in the system.
GamblingSites.com was established in 2014
Established September 1st, 2014
GamblingSites.com has written more than 250 gambling operator reviews
250+ casino and sportsbook reviews written
More than 22 million readers have enjoyed GamblingSites.com's content
22,464,187+ visitors have read our content
We have written more than 12.5k blog posts
12.5k+ blog posts published

Gambling was legalized in Iowa in 1972. The allows brick-and-mortar casinos to operate, and Iowans can bet on sports at in-person betting windows and kiosks, as well as online. There is an official state lottery as well, and bingo games are also permitted. Additionally, there are a wide range of offshore casinos online for IA players to gamble at.

In 1971 a Catholic priest in North Buena Vista, IA was charged with operating a gambling establishment when the church’s Labor Day weekend picnic was found to feature games of chance as part of a fundraiser. The next year, an election question was posed asking if Iowans wanted to legalize gambling, and the question passed with a 68% approval rate.

Iowa Code Chapter 1141, H.J.R. 8(1) officially legalized gambling on April 21, 1972 by repealing Article III Section 28 of Iowa’s Constitution. In May of 1983 the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act(2) enabled horse racing within the state, and 1985 saw the creation of the Iowa lottery as the Iowa General Assembly permitted it under Iowa Code Chapter 99E(3).

In 1989 the Excursion Gambling Boat Act(4) passed, enabling low-stakes riverboat casinos to operate on Iowa waterways.

The first tribal casinos opened in 1992 in Sloan, Onawa, and Tama, respectively, after federal legislation permitted Native American tribes to operate gambling establishments.

In May of 2019, Iowa Bill SF-617(5) authorized in-person and online sports wagering and also allowed daily fantasy sports contests to operate.

Land-Based Gambling Options in Iowa

Iowa has 19 commercial casinos available, four tribal casinos, and two active riverboat casinos. It also has poker rooms, bingo halls, a horse racing track, and there is an official state lottery that sells tickets at over 2,000 locations across The Hawkeye State.

Commercial Casinos

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City111 3rd Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
Woodbury18 table games including blackjack, craps, and roulette. Nearly 650 slot games. Slots available 24/7.
Diamond Jo Dubuque301 Bell St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
DubuqueOver 750 slots available 24 hours a day. Table games including craps, roulette, blackjack, and cajun stud poker.
Rhythm City Casino Resort7077 Elmore Ave.
Davenport, IA 52807
Scott32,000 sq. ft. gaming floor. Progressive slots with jackpots as high as $42,000. 17 table games including eight blackjack and two Texas Hold’Em tables.

Tribal Casinos

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Black Bird Bend Casino17214 210th St
Onawa IA, 51040
Monona300+ slots. Electronic table games. Player rewards program that includes $10 in free play for three weeks.
Prairie Flower Casino1031 Ave H
Carter Lake, IA 51510
Pottawattamie9,500 sq. ft. gaming floor. 200+ slot machines. Dancing Drums progressive slot with a $70,000 jackpot (as of this writing).
WinnaVegas Casino1500 330th St, Sloan, IA 51055WoodburyBlackjack, Cajun stud, and Texas Hold’em tables. 750+ slots. Lucky Leprechaun Hot Seats offering $10,000 in weekly prizes every Friday for playing with rewards program card.

Riverboat Casinos

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Ameristar Casino & Hotel — Council Bluffs2200 River Rd
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Pottawattamie38,500 sq. ft. gaming floor. Over 1,300 slot machines with bets ranging from $0.01–$100 per hand. High-stakes blackjack, roulette, and craps games.
Lakeside Hotel Casino777 Casino Drive, Osceola, IA 50213Clarke26,000 sq. ft. gaming floor. 600+ slots with bets ranging from $0.01–$5 per hand. 11 table games including blackjack, craps, Pai Gow poker, and Mississippi Stud.

Sportsbooks

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Wild Rose – Clinton777 Wild Rose Dr, Clinton, IA 52732ClintonRetail sportsbook open Wed–Sun. DraftKings betting kiosks available 24/7. Off-track greyhound, thoroughbred, and harness racing wagers.
Catfish Bend Casino3001 Winegard Dr. Burlington, IA 52601Des MoinesOfficial Fanatics sportsbook. Betting counter open 10AM–9PM daily. Multi-screen video wall, including odds displays.
Isle Casino-Hotel Waterloo777 Isle of Capri Blvd
Waterloo, IA 50701
Black Hawk10 HD TVs to watch the action. Betting windows, kiosks, and a self-service betting application. Open Thu–Mon.

Poker Rooms

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Horseshoe Council Buffs2701 23rd Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Pottawattamie18-table poker room. $500 payout for royal flushes. Daily Hold’Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo games.
Grand Falls Casino Resort1415 Grand Falls Blvd.
Larchwood, IA 51241
Lyon8 poker tables. Hold’Em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Big O, and 7-Card Stud.Poker games every Thursday–Monday.
Riverside Casino3184 Hwy 22, Riverside, IA 52327Washington10 poker tables. $84,000 bad beat jackpot (as of this writing). Limit, no-limit, and pot-limit games.

Racetracks

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Prairie Meadows1 Prairie Meadows Dr
Altoona, IA 50009
PolkMile-long racetrack on-site. Thoroughbred and quarter horse racing May–September. Simulcast wagering.

Iowa Lottery

Iowans can purchase state lottery tickets from over 2,400 retail and self-service kiosk locations.

The lottery offers multi-state games including Powerball and Mega Millions, as well as Pick 3, Pick 4, scratch card, and pull-tab games. Lottery tickets are only available in-person as the state doesn’t permit online lottery entries.

The Iowa Lottery was established in 1985 has since generated approximately $5.7 billion in proceeds since its inception. These proceeds are used to fund a variety of statewide initiatives that include veteran affairs, economic development programs, education, and agriculture.

Bingo Halls

NameAddressCountyFeatures
Meskwaki Bingo Casino1504 305th Street Tama, IA 52339Tama550 seat bingo parlor. Paper and electronic games. Matinee and evening sessions Wednesday–Sunday.
Iowa Elks Lodge #27522060 NW 94th St
Clive, IA 50325-5308
PolkSunday afternoon and Thursday night bingo games. Blackout bingo for $1,000. 28 games per session.
Riverside Casino905 Tower Terrace Rd
Hiawatha, IA 52233
LinnBingo every Thursday. Packets between $6 and $12.

Iowa Gambling Timeline

2019
May

Iowa legalizes in-person and online sports betting, as well as daily fantasy sports contests.

1992
April

The first tribal casino, WinnaVegas Casino, opens near Sloan.

1991
April

Dubuque Casino Belle, Iowa’s first riverboat casino, opens in Dubuque.

1989
March

The Excursion Gambling Boat Act authorizes low-stakes riverboat casinos in Iowa.

1985
August

The Iowa Lottery begins operations with the passage of Iowa Code 99E.

1983
May

Pari-mutuel wagering is legalized in Iowa.

1972
November

Gambling is permitted in Iowa after an election question asking voters if they wanted to legalize gambling came back with a 68% approval rate.

Future of Gambling in Iowa

There isn’t a lot of movement in Iowa politics to expand the state’s gambling laws as of February 2024. Rep. Bobby Kaufman introduced an online casinos bill in 2021, though the bill has not been voted on, and has been barely discussed. Rep. Jacob Bossman has said he doesn’t think Iowa will pass an online casino law during the 2024 session, due in part to the fact that all 19 of the state’s commercial casinos would have to sign off on the bill.

Iowa Responsible Gambling Resources

Approximately 14% of Iowans will experience problem gambling issues, according to The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. This equates to roughly 420,000 people, demonstrating that problem gambling resources are in high demand.

If you or anyone you know requires problem gambling assistance in Iowa you can visit the following resources for more information:

  1. Iowa Code Chapter 1141, HJR 8 — Repeals the state’s gambling ban
  2. Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act
  3. Iowa Lottery history
  4. Excursion Gambling Boat Act
  5. Iowa Bill SF-617 — Authorizes sports wagering and daily fantasy contests in Iowa

Conclusion

This guide took a comprehensive look at Iowa’s online and in-person gambling options. We shared high-quality online casino recommendations in several categories and provided some information about Iowa’s in-person commercial and tribal casinos, as well as its various poker rooms, bingo halls, and riverboat casinos.

We also gave a brief history of gambling in Iowa and predicted the state’s gambling future. The guide provided an overview of IA’s gambling laws as well, and shared problem gambling resources that can help Iowans ensure healthy and responsible gaming experiences.

Photo of Zachary Wolf
Zachary
Wolf
Content Specialist
Articles
49

Zachary Wolf is a Content Editor with experience writing about online gambling for GamblingSites.com and BestUSCasinos.org. His gambling-related writing credits include state-specific U.S. gambling laws, casino reviews, and various sports betting guides — most notably WWE betting guides. He enjoys playing slots, poker, and blackjack, among other games.

More Guides to Online Gambling in the United States

StateState cont.State cont.State cont.
AlabamaIowaNew HampshireTexas
AlaskaKansasNew JerseyUtah
ArizonaKentuckyNew MexicoVermont
ArkansasLouisianaNew YorkVirginia
CaliforniaMaineNorth CarolinaWashington
Colorado MarylandNorth DakotaWest Virginia
ConnecticutMassachusettsOhioWisconsin
DelawareMichiganOklahomaWyoming
FloridaMinnesotaOregon
GeorgiaMississippiPennsylvania
HawaiiMissouriRhode Island
IdahoMontanaSouth Carolina
IllinoisNebraskaSouth Dakota
IndianaNevadaTennessee