Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF617, which formally legalized sports betting in Iowa, into law in May 2019. Just three months later they started accepting their first legal sports bets, with 13 of the 19 state casinos immediately receiving a license.
Editor note: Online registration approved in early 2021 has opened the door for football betting growth in Iowa. Sign up now and wager with NFL betting partners FanDuel or Draft Kings or other top online sportsbook operators such as BetRivers Iowa!
The instant returns were great: in the first 17 days that sports betting was legal, casinos generated $8.5 million worth of bets, which resulted in $2.2 million in revenue – and $146K to the state in gambling taxes.
The bill included a casino-friendly 6.75% tax rate on sports betting revenue, with full mobile betting permitted, the only caveat that bettors must register in person for mobile apps until the end of 2020.
Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
Yes. Sports betting written legalized in May 2019, and the first wagers were booked on August 15, 2019. Iowa became the 11th state to offer legalized sports betting.
Where can I bet at Iowa sportsbooks?
There are currently 19 casinos in Iowa, 13 of which received operator licenses on launch day. Now 18 of the 19 state casinos have licenses, with the law saying they can each partner with up to two different sports books, so there is a lot of action and opportunity.
- BetRivers Iowa
- Ameristar Council Bluffs is currently only partnered with DraftKings.
- Catfish Bend is with PointsBet.
- Hard Rock Sioux City has teamed up with Gaming Innovation Group (GiG).
- Harrah’s Council Bluffs and Horseshoe Council Bluffs both partner with Scientific Games.
- William Hill is the current exclusive sportsbook for Isle of Capri (Bettendorf and Waterloo locations), Lakeside Hotel & Casino and Prairie Meadows.
- Grand Falls Casino, Rhythm City and Riverside Casino & Golf Course are aligned with Bet.Works.
- Diamond Jo Casino (Dubuque and Northwood locations) both offer FanDuel and PlayMGM.
- All three Wild Rose Casino locations are partnered with DraftKings and BetRivers.
- Q Casino runs their own independent sportsbook, “Q Sportsbook.”
What about mobile sports betting apps in Iowa?
Mobile sports betting is allowed in Iowa, with DraftKings, PointsBet, FanDuel, PlayMGM and William Hill headlining the list of available mobile sports betting apps in state.
The only catch was that in order to place online bets, you must register for the app in person at a casino. This provision was in place until January 1, 2021.
