Is Sports Betting Legal in Iowa?

Iowa legalized betting in 2019. They legalized sports betting, gambling, and horse race betting. It is all legally available to residents of Iowa 21 years of age and older. They can freely choose whether to bet online or offline.

We always recommend online betting. This is the best way to get the most bonuses, compare lines, and take a global view of the betting markets.

Top 5 Iowa Online Betting Sites

Iowa has been a legal sports betting state since 2019, giving residents access to a range of regulated sportsbooks. But despite the convenience of legal betting, many Iowans are still turning to offshore sportsbooks—and for good reason. These platforms offer more betting flexibility, fewer restrictions, and often better value for your money.

From major league action to niche props, offshore sportsbooks let Iowa players bet without limits—whether you’re placing wagers on the Hawkeyes, presidential races, or last night’s award show. Here are the Top 5 offshore sportsbooks trusted by Iowa bettors in 2025:

Bovada

Bovada continues to lead the pack when it comes to user-friendly betting platforms. With coverage of all major sports, global events, and entertainment markets, it’s the perfect all-in-one sportsbook. For Iowa bettors, it also offers fast crypto payouts, mobile-first usability, and a strong track record of reliability. Plus, its live betting section and casino are top-notch.

Why Iowa bettors love Bovada:

• Smooth mobile interface for on-the-go betting
• Quick Bitcoin withdrawals
• Long-standing reputation with U.S. players

Bonus:

50% up to $250

Bet now

BetOnline

BetOnline is designed for serious sports bettors who want early lines, high limits, and deep betting markets. Whether you’re betting on college football or UFC props, BetOnline delivers sharp odds and tons of alternative lines. Iowa players especially appreciate the platform’s crypto-friendliness and its generous bonuses for regular bettors.

Why Iowa bettors love BetOnline:

• Early odds with competitive juice
• High betting limits and fast action
• Great crypto deposit bonuses

Bonus:

50% up to $250

Bet now

SportsBetting.ag

SportsBetting.ag offers a great balance of features for both casual and seasoned bettors. It shares the same backbone as BetOnline but with a unique interface and brand experience. Iowa users enjoy the wide range of betting markets, responsive support, and smooth performance across devices—plus a full casino and racebook for variety.

Why Iowa bettors love SportsBetting.ag:

• Fast platform with live betting tools
• Crypto and traditional payment support
• Diverse betting options across sports and events

Bonus:

50% up to $250

Bet now

Xbet

Xbet is the ideal sportsbook for Iowa players just starting out. Its clean layout, simple signup, and low minimums make it easy for beginners to dive in without getting overwhelmed. Plus, the site offers strong customer service and beginner-friendly promotions to help new users get started on the right foot.

Why Iowa bettors love Xbet:

• Clean and intuitive interface
• Easy registration process
• Solid welcome bonuses for new players

Bonus:

50% up to $200

Bet now

MyBookie

MyBookie is where casual betting meets entertainment. Known for its quirky prop markets and wide variety of betting options—including politics, reality TV, and more—it’s a favorite among recreational Iowa bettors. The site also features quick registration, regular promotions, and contests that keep things exciting beyond the sportsbook.

Why Iowa bettors love MyBookie:

• Unique betting markets and novelty props
• Easy-to-use platform
• Frequent reload promos and contests

Bonus:

50% up to $1,000

Bet now

Legal Online Sportsbooks in Iowa

Sports betting isn’t just legal in Iowa—it’s big business. Since launching mobile betting in August 2019, the Hawkeye State has become one of the established sports wagering markets in the U.S.

Iowans can legally place bets online through numerous state-approved operators. These sportsbooks are licensed, regulated, and required to follow strict rules set by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

Iowa Quick Facts

Here’s a snapshot of everything you need to know about sports betting in Iowa. From legalization and launch dates to age limits and market restrictions, this table breaks down the key facts at a glance.

Finding Better Value Beyond Iowa’s Legal Sportsbooks

Iowa legalized sports betting in 2019, creating regulated options for bettors across the Hawkeye State. However, some experienced bettors find the state-regulated market comes with certain limitations. For those seeking alternatives, offshore betting platforms continue to attract Iowa bettors looking for different features.

Why some bettors explore beyond Iowa’s regulated market:

• Expanded Market Access – Legal Iowa sportsbooks prohibit wagering on certain events like in-state college player props and non-sports entertainment outcomes. Alternative sites often offer these restricted markets.
• Competitive Odds Structure – Iowa’s tax framework can influence the odds offered by licensed operators, sometimes resulting in less favorable lines compared to overseas alternatives.
• Streamlined Experience – Some bettors prefer platforms without geolocation requirements, extensive verification procedures, or Iowa-specific restrictions.
• Diverse Payment Solutions – Alternative sites may offer cryptocurrency options, different banking methods, and varied transaction limits.
• Location Flexibility – Using non-Iowa regulated sites means not being restricted to betting only while physically present in Iowa borders.

Iowa’s Betting Restrictions

While Iowa has embraced sports betting legislation, several key restrictions remain in place for licensed operators.

Iowa’s regulated sportsbooks cannot offer:

• Props on in-state college athletes (Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Panthers, etc.)
• Wagering on non-sporting events including politics and entertainment awards
• High school athletic competitions
• Certain esports tournaments without specific regulatory approval

These restrictions don’t typically apply on platforms operating outside Iowa’s regulatory framework, allowing for a broader range of wagering options.

Iowa Sports Betting Eligibility

Iowa has established specific criteria for legal sports wagering participation:

Age Requirement You must be 21 years or older to place legal sports bets in Iowa.

Location Verification When using state-licensed platforms, you must be physically present within Iowa’s borders with verification through geolocation technology.

Residency Status Iowa welcomes visitors and non-residents to bet legally as long as they’re physically in the state when placing wagers.

Excluded Individuals

• Sports participants connected to events they’re betting on
• Sportsbook employees and those with inside information
• Regulatory personnel and gaming officials
• Self-excluded individuals and problem gamblers

Online Accessibility Iowa permits mobile and online betting through authorized operators, but only within state boundaries. Alternative platforms typically operate without these geographical restrictions.

Iowa Sports Betting – Recent Updates

• February 15, 2024 — The sports betting handle in Iowa decreased to $259.4 million in January, reflecting an 8.9% decline from December.
• January 24, 2024 — A special agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation testified in a court filing that the DCI utilized an “illegal search” of student online accounts during the investigation of the Iowa sports betting case.
• January 15, 2024 — The state announces that the sports betting handle in Iowa slightly dropped to $282.7 million in December, indicating a 2% decrease from November.
• December 20, 2023 — The state announces that Iowa sports betting revenue fell to $14.1 million in November, marking a 41% decrease from October.
• December 13, 2023 — The state announces that the sports betting handle in Iowa increased to $289.6 million in November, representing a 13% rise from October and a 17% increase year over year.

How Did We Choose the Best Iowa Sports Betting Sites?

We choose these Iowa sport betting sites very carefully. It is not just a random collection of sites by any means. Through our years of sports betting we have a deep sense of the different online sportsbooks, what they offer, and exactly what matters most when choosing where to sign up.

One thing we have learned is how important it is to have an active account at more than a sportsbook. This allows you to shop around and make sure you are getting the best line for your bet. In fact. Even in a single event, different sportsbooks will have better odds for different bets. Getting the most out of your bet means having a few accounts open and ready to go.

Betting online comes with many great advantages. Compared with traveling to casinos, you can save money by comparing odds, collecting on great sign-up bonuses, and time and money by not traveling and buying expensive food and drink.

You should also consider Iowa’s best sports betting apps before signing up!

Great Bonuses

Bonuses are no small thing. And there are big differences between online betting sites in this department. Some of the stingier ones will only offer a 10% match on your initial deposit. While others will double or more your first deposit.

Welcome bonuses are a great way to get started. You can make all the bets you want to make right out the gate. Plus, as you get your training wheels running, you have more of a cushion to have some fun. Big bonuses are a great way to extend your entertainment budget even more.

In addition to the welcome bonuses, the top Iowa sports betting sites will also have promotions throughout your betting career, not just when you sign up. These can be reloaded, recommend-a-friend, or event-based promotions.

If you are using Bitcoin, you are in even more luck. For example, at BetOnline, you can boost on your welcome bonus, and you get a 35% match every time you reload with Bitcoin.

Available to Iowa Bettors

Of course, a basic prerequisite for sports betting in Iowa is that it is available for Iowa bettors. Online sports betting is legal for residents of Iowa over 21 years of age. This is one of the similarities of going online compared to an in-person casino. In-person, you likely have to 21 years old, because they serve alcohol at casinos.

Iowa became the 11th state to legalize sports betting in 2019. Iowa is home to many casinos-22 in total. The majority of which are on land. Only one is a riverboat.

Long-Standing Reputation

To be a well-trusted sportsbook is everything. Well, not quite everything, but without a long-standing reputation, the sportsbook cannot make our list of recommendations. That’s because we want to make sure that you can get speedy and reliable payouts.

A few fly-by-night operations have turned out to be less-than-honest. That’s why we recommend Iowa sports betting sites that have been in the game for years or decades, and that has always paid us timely and accurately.

Hot Odds

Having the latest odds is fundamental. The smartest bettors follow sports news carefully, and we expect to see the latest happenings reflected in the odds. We don’t want to have to wait a week to see the odds reflect that someone dropped out, for example. This can be frustrating and can cause you to miss betting opportunities.

When it comes to Iowa sports betting, You really need the latest odds updated regularly. This is especially true for college sports.

Helpful Customer Service

Things do not often go wrong, but when they do, or when we get a little lost, we need customer service as soon as possible. This is because sports betting in Iowa, like anywhere else, is a time-sensitive matter. Every minute counts. Especially in live betting where to odds can change every play.

The best Iowa sports betting sites will the largest number of the following customer service options:

• Live chat
• Email
• Phone numbers
• FAQs
• Community forums

List of Casinos in Iowa

Iowa has plenty of retails casinos, in addition to the online caisnos housed at the sportsbooks we recommend on this page.

Here is a list of retail casinos in Iowa

• Ameristar Casino
• Argosy Casino Sioux City
• Blackbird Bend Casino
• Casino Queen Marquette
• Catfish Bend Casino
• Diamond Jo Casino
• Diamond Jo Casino
• Grand Falls Casino
• Hard Rock Sioux City
• Harrah’s Council Bluffs
• Horseshoe Council Bluffs
• Isle Casino Bettendorf
• Isle Casino Waterloo
• Lakeside Hotel & Casino
• Meskwaki Casino Tama
• Prairie Flower Casino
• Prairie Meadows Altoona
• Q Casino Dubuque
• Rhythm City Casino Resort
• Riverside Casino & Golf Resort
• Wild Rose Casino and Resort
• Wild Rose Casino and Resort
• Wild Rose Casino and Resort
• Winna Vegas Casino Resort

Iowa Sports Betting Timeline

2023

New Entrants and Controversies

ESPN BET and bet365 joined Iowa’s sports betting market, broadening online betting choices. The year was also shadowed by legal issues, with four Iowa-state football players and Iowa State University’s quarterback facing charges related to sports betting. Moreover, Iowa’s sports betting handle saw a significant 25.8% drop in April.

2021

Rules Change and Betting Expands

The requirement to register in person expired, and 2021 started with a whole new set of rules. Iowa thus had some of its largest sports betting months. $2 billion in sports bets were placed this year.

2019

Iowa Opens its Own Sportsbooks

In May 2019, the governor signed a law authorizing local licenses for sportsbooks. As soon as August, both retail and online sportsbooks licensed by Iowa were available.

2018

Supreme Court Opens Things Up

With the Supreme Court’s Murphy v. NCAA, the Supreme Court allowed any state that wished to to regulate sportsbooks. No major action in Iowa was taken this year.