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UKIowa Online Casino and Sportsbook Guide
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.
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This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
Best Online Gambling Sites for Iowans
- Bovada – Best Online Gambling Site for Iowans
- DuckyLuck Casino – Best Iowa Online Casino
- BetUS – Best Sports Betting Site for Iowa Players
- Ignition – Best IA Poker Site
- Cafe Casino – Best Fast Payout Casino for Iowans
- SlotsandCasino – Best Iowa Slots Casino
- Drake Casino – Best Table Game Casino for Iowa Players
- TrustDice – Best IA Cryptocurrency Gambling Site
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.
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81%
71%
- Bonus: 100% up to $1,000
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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.
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75%
67%
- Bonus: 500% up to $2,500
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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.
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80%
72%
- Bonus: 125% up to $3,125
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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.
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77%
73%
- Bonus: 100% up to $2,000
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
Cafe 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.
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79%
68%
- Bonus: 250% up to $1,500
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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).
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78%
59%
- Bonus: 300% up to $1,500 + 100 free spins
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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.
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78%
69%
- Bonus: 300% up to $6,000
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
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.
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79%
88%
- Bonus: 100% up to 3 BTC
- Visit Site Read Review
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.
Iowa Gambling Sites Compared
| Site Name | Welcome Bonus | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | 100% up to $3,000 | Best Online Gambling Site |
| DuckyLuck Casino | 500% up to $2,500 + 150 free spins | Best Online Casino |
| BetUS | 125% for up $3,125 + 30 bets (100% for the sportsbook, 25% for the casino) | Best Sports Betting Site |
| Ignition | 100% up to $1,000 | Best Poker Site |
| Café Casino | 350% up to $2,500 | Best Fast Payout Casino |
| SlotsandCasino | 300% up $1,500 + 150 free spins | Best Slots Casino |
| Drake Casino | 300% up to $6,000 | Best Table Game Casino |
| TrustDice | 100% for up to $90,000; 25 free spins | Best Cryptocurrency Gambling Site |
How We Choose the Best Gambling Sites for Iowans
We developed our Jackpot Meter to guide Iowa players toward online gambling sites that are safe, fair, and rewarding. By analyzing expert reviews and user feedback, we identify the best platforms for local players.
In addition to these insights, we conduct thorough research on key factors:
- 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.
Is Gambling Legal in Iowa?
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.
Iowa Gambling Timeline
Iowa legalizes in-person and online sports betting, as well as daily fantasy sports contests.
The first tribal casino, WinnaVegas Casino, opens near Sloan.
Dubuque Casino Belle, Iowa’s first riverboat casino, opens in Dubuque.
The Excursion Gambling Boat Act authorizes low-stakes riverboat casinos in Iowa.
The Iowa Lottery begins operations with the passage of Iowa Code 99E.
Pari-mutuel wagering is legalized in Iowa.
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:
- Iowa Gaming Association — Responsible Gaming Treatment Programs
- Iowa Health and Human Services — Office of Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services
- Play IA — Responsible Gambling
Legal Sources
- Iowa Code Chapter 1141, HJR 8 — Repeals the state’s gambling ban
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act
- Iowa Lottery history
- Excursion Gambling Boat Act
- 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.
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, it’s undeniably Bovada. They have the best package of poker, casino, and sports betting offerings.
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.
More Guides to Online Gambling in the United States
81%
71%
This score goes to the highest rated sites by experts. Only sites that hold an expert rating of above 85% are given this status.
A green Jackpot Certified score is awarded when at least 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A red Bust score is displayed when less than 60% of expert reviews are positive.
A grayed-out gem means there are not enough expert ratings to produce a score. The gambling site could be new.
A green Jackpot Certified score means that at least 60% of player reviews are positive.
A red Bust score means that less that 59% or less of player reviews are positive.
A grayed-out face means there are not enough player reviews to produce a score.