Caesars Sportsbook is the best betting operator in IA for various reasons. Not only do they have a great user interface both for desktop and on their betting app but they have very competitive odds for most markets. Caesars also offers enhanced odds for some specific matches, although you cannot edit the betting line Caesar’s still provides some great odds boosts. Apart from all this, Caesars Sportsbook have one of the largest free bet welcome bonus in IA.
Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Sports betting in Iowa is blooming, and patrons have many great online sportsbooks that they can join. BetMGM, FanDuel and Caesars are just some of the sports betting sites live in Iowa right now.
Below we look at all of Iowa’s best sports betting sites, according to their welcome bonuses, odds, and betting markets.
Best Iowa Online Betting Sites December 2024
Top Results for Virginia, US
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| # | Sportsbook | Bonus | Visit Site | T&Cs | ||||
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Caesars Sportsbook |
Bet $50 Get $250 in Bonus Bets Cashback |
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FanDuel Sportsbook |
Up to $1,000 risk-free bet Free bet |
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Use bonus code: No bonus code required; Register to claim
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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BetMGM |
Up to 1500$ first bet offer Cashback |
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Play |
Use bonus code: No bonus code required. Register to claim offer
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (available in all of US) 21+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (NY), 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
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BetRivers |
100% up to $250 Match deposit bonus |
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Play |
Use bonus code: 250MATCH
Qualifying bet: No minimum bet amount and no odds restrictions Wagering requirement: 1x bonus |
It seems you are in Virginia, US, where US online sportsbooks are not legal. You can change your location or browse the recommended fantasy sports betting sites below.
Iowa Betting Site Winners by Category
The sports betting market in Iowa has been around for a couple of years now, and patrons can see this from the great selection of betting sites live in the state.
Patrons have a selection of more than five great sportsbooks, all of which can be downloaded on your phone. Both iOS and Android devices are compatible with IA sportsbook apps.
We created the table below with all our sportsbooks recommendations for Iowa patrons. For example, we selected Caesars Sportsbook as the best overall betting site in IA for various reasons.
One of the reasons is that Caesars offers competitive odds for almost all markets, a great welcome bonus as well as their mobile betting app. Caesars is also one of the few sportsbooks in IA to offer enhanced odds for selected markets.
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BetMGM Sportsbook offers one of the best and largest welcome bonuses in Iowa. Patrons can easily redeem the free bet sign-up offer and the best part is that there aren’t any sports restrictions. This means you can choose any market you would like and place your first bet to redeem it.
Top 3 Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Selecting the top three sportsbooks in Iowa was not easy as there were far more than three great betting sites available. However, after carefully analyzing the welcome bonuses, odds, betting markets, and betting features of each sportsbook, we concluded with the following betting sites.
Caesars Sportsbook #1
FanDuel Sportsbook #2
FanDuel Sportsbook has become one of the top favorites amongst patrons across the US and even in IA. This comes as no surprise as the sportsbook offers great odds for all major markets and even niche markets such as tennis or golf. FanDuel is also one of the few sportsbooks to offer live streaming both on desktop and on their betting app. Apart from this betting feature patrons can use their early cashout or same game parlay feature.
BetMGM Sportsbook #3
BetMGM Sportsbook offers patrons in IA a large free bet welcome bonus, this sign-up bonus is amongst the largest available in Iowa. Apart from a great welcome bonus, BetMGM have some of the best odds, especially during major sports seasons such as the Super Bowl. They also always offer a great promotion during these seasons such as an odds boost. You can also use any of their great betting features such as the early cashout, bet builder or the ‘edit my bet’ feature.
How We Rate the Best Iowa Sportsbooks
When determining which Iowa sportsbook to recommend, we used the below five factors. The most important thing to remember is that we only suggest betting sites that hold a license in Iowa, as these are the only safe option for patrons.
There were many great sportsbooks that we needed to examine and test out before selecting which ones will make it to our best IA sportsbook list. However, the following factors really helped us narrow down which betting sites to choose.
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Safety and licensesFor a sportsbook in IA to be licensed and legal they must receive a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. To apply for this license the sportsbook must partner up with an Iowa retail casino, without this they cannot receive a license. Every IA retail casino can hold up to two sportsbooks, however this has not stopped sportsbooks from joining the state.
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BonusesWelcome bonuses in Iowa start from $250 and go up to $2000. However, the most common bonus is a $1000 free bet bonus and this is primarily offered by major sportsbooks such as BetMGM or FanDuel. Apart from these free bet bonuses, there is also a match-up deposit bonus offered by BetRivers.
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Quality of oddsIn Iowa, there are more than five great sportsbooks available this has created a rivalry between them to offer the best possible odds. Patrons have a great selection of competitive odds for each major sport and even niche sports.
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Mobile appsMobile betting is legal and available for patrons in Iowa. You can download any of the licensed sportsbook apps on your phone and bet at any time that you wish. In-person registration is not required, therefore you only need to download the betting app and register, to start betting. Both iOS and Android devices are compatible with the sportsbooks apps live in IA right now.
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Payment methodsThere are over 10 payment methods available in Iowa for sports betting. Apart from the more traditional payment options such as VISA and Mastercard, patrons can use ewallets, ACH payment, cheques and even cash. You can use PayNearMe for online cash payments if you don’t mind going to a retail store to pay for your deposit. We highly suggest you give PayPal a try since it’s one of the most convenient payment option for betting. Depositing and withdrawing with PayPal is quite fast since you simply need your email address and password to complete the transaction.
How to Sign Up at an Iowa Sportsbook
In-person registration is no longer required in Iowa, this is great news as you don’t have to waste time driving to a casino to create a new account. The whole registration process for a new sportsbook account in IA is now done completely online, and it only takes a few minutes to complete.
Below we created a short guide on how to sign up at an online Iowa sports betting site.
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Look at our top Illinois sport betting sites
Discover the sportsbook that matches your needs.
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Tap on join now
Join the sports betting site or app of your choice.
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Set up a new sportsbook account
Create a new username and password. You’ll also be asked for more details such as your email address.
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Validate your email address
Go to your emails and confirm your email address.
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Make your first deposit
In the cashier section of the sportsbook choose the deposit option and place your first deposit.
To create a new Iowa sportsbook account, you need the following details:
- Email address
- Full name
- Last four digits of your social security number
- Date of birth
- Address including city, state, and zip code
- Phone number
It is safe for you to share the above information with a licensed sportsbook in IA as the betting operator must safeguard all the data you share with them. Apart from that, all this information is required by the sportsbook for your own security since they need to confirm your age and identity. Sportsbooks can only accept patrons above the age of 21 years old who are allowed to bet in Iowa, and they must have a valid ID.
Iowa Betting Bonuses
In the table below, we selected only the best sports betting sites according to a specific bonus category. All of the sportsbooks we recommend in our top list offer great welcome bonuses, however, some excel even further.
For example, we recommend Caesars Sportsbooks for the best-enhanced odds. Caesars always have an odds boosts section that is always updated with new betting lines, unlike other sportsbooks that don’t even have enhanced odds.
We selected BetRivers as the best sportsbook for betting promotions since they always have more than three promotions per week. Other major sportsbooks don’t offer as many promotions, even the most major ones. An example of a promotion at BetRivers would be their 20% live NBA profit boost, this great bonus gives you the chance to increase your profit by a lot.
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Iowa Payment Methods and Banking
We created the table below after we checked each and every sportsbook in IA and found out which payment methods they provide patrons with. As you can see in the table, there are well over 10 different betting payment options.
Depositing is very easy in Iowa as there are many different safe payment methods from which to choose. Withdrawing is also as simple and the payout times in Iowa are only between 1-5 days unless you’re using cheque payments which take more than 5 days.
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| Min. deposit | $10-$20 | $10-$20 | $10 | $5- $20 | $5-$20 | $10-$20 | $10-$20 | $5-$20 | $5 | N/A |
| Max. deposit | $6,000-$50,000 | $6,000-$50,000 | $50,000 | $6,000-$50,000 | $10,000-$25,000 | $5,000-$25,000 | $3,000-$100,000 | $500-$25,000 | $10,000-$50,000 | N/A |
| Deposit time | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant | N/A |
| Min. withdrawal | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $10-$20 | $10 | $20-$100 | N/A | $10-$5 | $500 |
| Max withdrawal | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Withdrawal time | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1-2 days | 1-2 days | 2 days | N/A | 2-3 days | 14 days |
The limits above for both deposits and withdrawals will be different according to the IA sports betting site that you joined. You should check the sportsbooks cashier section to confirm minimum or maximum limits for depositing and withdrawing.
We highly suggest that you try PayPal Sportsbook as your deposit and withdrawal payment option as it offers you very fast and easy transactions. You simply need to use your email address and password to complete a transaction. Apart from that, PayPal offers one of the fastest withdrawals as you can receive your payout in less then 72 hours.
How to Deposit at Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Depositing at an Iowa sportsbook is quite simple, especially if you follow our steps below for a successful transaction. You must create a sportsbook account before the sportsbook allows you to deposit, this can easily be done in a few minutes.
To deposit you can use various different payment methods, such as credit cards, ewallets, ACH payments or even cheques. Patrons in Iowa also have the opportunity to use PayNearMe as their deposit method. PayNearMe allows you to deposit into your online sportsbook account with cash, you simply need to head to the closest retail store to pay for the deposit.
Sports Betting Apps in Iowa
Good sports betting apps are not difficult to find in Iowa as you have a great variety to choose from. Almost all the IA sportsbook apps are available on both iOS and Android, so you shouldn’t worry that your mobile is not suitable for them.
These betting apps are available for download from the App Store or Google Play Store. The majority of sportsbooks also include a direct download link in the footer of their website for their betting app.
FanDuel is amongst one of the best sportsbook apps in Iowa that we recommend. This sportsbook app provides patrons with betting features such as early cashout, same game parlay and even live streaming. Apart from that, FanDuel offers very competitive odds and a great selection of betting markets.
BetMGM Sportsbook is also another great betting app option. All of popular betting features which are only offered at this sportsbook are available on their betting app. This means you can use their early cashout, bet builder and edit my bet features from the BetMGM Sportsbook app.
Geo-location on Mobile Betting Sites
Using your mobile for Iowa sports betting is not as different as desktop betting, some might even say it’s easier than using your desktop. Especially since you just need to download the app and bet straight away.
Below we included guidelines that you must follow to have a successful mobile betting experience. If you skip any one of them we’re certain you won’t be allowed to bet on any of the IA sportsbooks.
Physically in Iowa
An Iowa sportsbook always checks that you are physically located in Iowa. If you’re not physically in the state, the IA sportsbook won’t allow you to bet.
GPS turned on
When using your phone to bet online, the sportsbook asks for your mobile GPS to be turned on. The sportsbook must confirm that you are in Iowa and not in another state where they are not licensed.
Geo-locator app required
Some IA sportsbooks might not have an integrated geo-locator in their app. This means you need to check with the sportsbook if you need to download an extra app called geo-locator which can be used to confirm your location is in IA. However, almost every sports betting app in IA doesn’t require you to download anything else apart from the main sportsbook app.
Sports Betting in Iowa
Sports betting in Iowa was legalized in 2019 for both retail and online sports wagering. Any casino in Iowa was allowed to partner up with two different sportsbooks.
A great milestone for Iowa sports betting patrons was the removal of in-person registration, which required you to find time in your schedule to visit a casino to open a new sportsbook account. Now you can register online, bet online, and never place a foot in the casino.
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Iowa Gambling Laws
To create an IA sportsbook account and bet online you must be 21 years old or older. To be allowed to bet on an Iowa sports betting site you don’t need to have an address in the state. However, to bet on a sportsbook in Iowa you must be physically in the state.
There are also no sports betting restrictions on Iowa college teams, so you can place bets on in-state college teams. The only NCAA sports betting restriction in Iowa that you should keep in mind is that you cannot place a prop bet on individual college athletes.
Betting Sites in Iowa to Avoid
For an Iowa sportsbook to be legal and safe to use, they must have a license from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. This commission’s job is to keep patrons who place bets both in retail and online sportsbooks safe.
Therefore, if a sports betting site is not listed as a licensed IA sportsbook, it is not legal to place any kind of bet on it. The three sports betting sites below are all offshore sportsbooks that will allow you to place a bet. Remember that just because you can bet on these offshore betting sites doesn’t mean it is legal to do so.
Remember that if you encounter a problem while using these offshore sportsbooks, you cannot open a dispute with the IRGC to help you solve the issue. This is why using a licensed IA sportsbook is much safer and more beneficial for a successful betting experience.
Betting Sites in Iowa to Avoid
BetOnline
Slow payouts
Few withdrawal payment methods
No major matches are available
Bovada
Matches uploaded late
Few betting lines
Low priced odds
MyBookie
Withdrawals are not easy to process
Most withdrawals are declined
Slow withdrawal
History of Sports Betting in Iowa
The supreme court overturned a federal ban on sports wagering in 2018, which allowed states to legalize sports betting. After an unsuccessful attempt in 2018, Iowa legalized sports betting a year later. The first sportsbook to join the state was William Hill, which was bought by Caesars Sportsbook in 2021.
First sports betting bill
The first sports betting bill in Iowa was introduced, but it was declined.
US Supreme Court lifts ban
Later in 2018, the supreme court lifted the ban on sports betting, allowing states to make sports wagering legal.
Legalization of sports betting
Sports betting in Iowa becomes legal for both retail and online sports wagering, as the bill is approved by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Removal of in-person registration
In-person registration for an online sportsbook account is removed and you can now sign up online for a new account.
Pros and Cons of Online Betting in Iowa
Sports betting in Iowa is quite the experience, the advantages outdo the disadvantages. The main advantage of IA betting is the great range of sportsbooks available. Apart from that, all of these betting sites have very alluring welcome bonuses which offer patrons a large number of free bets.
Mobile betting is no stranger to Iowa sports betting as the IRGC legalized betting apps in 2019, since then all of the sportsbooks in IA provide patrons with a betting app. Both iOS and Android devices are compatible with these Iowa sports betting apps.
Lastly, in-person registration is longer required in Iowa, this means you don’t need to waste time driving to a casino to complete your account. Therefore now in Iowa, you can register online for a new sportsbook account on any of the listed betting sites or apps.
Pros
- Large variety of welcome bonuses
- Great range of different sportsbooks
- Great selection of mobile betting apps
- In-person registration no longer required
Cons
- No prop bets on individual college athletes
The only downside we could find for sports betting in Iowa was that prob bets on individual college athletes are not allowed. However, this really isn’t a big deal as there are so many other betting lines in IA that you can wager on.
List of all Iowa Betting Sites
Iowa has a great selection of sports betting sites and betting apps available for patrons. Although sportsbooks are required to partner with a casino to receive a license from the state regulator, many betting operators have launched in IA.
| Sportsbook | License Partner | Date Launched |
|---|---|---|
| Bally Bet | Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort | 2021 |
| Barstool Sports | Ameristar Casino | 2021 |
| Betfred Sportsbook | Grand Falls Casino | 2020 |
| BetMGM Sportsbook | Diamond Jo casinos | 2021 |
| BetRivers Sportsbook | Wild Rose casino | 2021 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Harrah’s Casino, Isle Casino, Horseshoe Casino | 2019 |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | Wild Rose casinos | 2020 |
| Elite Sportsbook | Riverside Casino and Golf Resorts | 2019 |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Diamond Jo casinos | 2020 |
| Hard Rock Sportsbook | Hard Rock Sioux City | 2019 |
| PointsBet | Catfish Bend Casino | 2019 |
| Unibet | Harrah’s council Bluffs Casino | 2021 |
| Betway Sports | Wild Rose casino | 2021 |
| DRF Sportsbook | Lakeside Hotel and Casino | 2022 |
| Q Sportsbook | Q Casino | 2019 |
| theScore Bet | Ameristar Casino | 2021 |
| Fubo Sportsbook | Casino Queen Marquette | 2021 |
Conclusion
Iowa is definitely the place to be for online sports betting. Not only is the tax lower than in other states, but patrons have a great selection of sportsbooks to choose from. Major betting operators such as BetMGM, Caesars, and FanDuel live in Iowa, these major sportsbooks offer large welcome bonuses to IA patrons.
In Iowa, there aren’t any strict restrictions on sports betting. For example, unlike in other states wagering on in-state college teams is allowed in IA. Prop bets on individual college athletes, however, are not allowed.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
Sports betting became legal in Iowa in 2019 when Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill which legalized sports wagering in the state. There was an attempt to legalize sports betting in 2018 but it was rejected. You can find many legal IA sportsbooks from which to choose, all offering different welcome bonuses and betting features.
Is mobile sports betting legal in Iowa?
Mobile sports betting was legalized in 2019 along with the sports betting legislation in Iowa. You can download an IA sportsbook app on your mobile and place bets from the comfort of your home. Many IA sports betting apps have different promotions and bonuses from each other.
Do I have to register in person for a new IA sportsbook account?
In-person registering was removed in 2021 in Iowa, which means you no longer need to be stuck in traffic on the way to a casino to register for a sportsbook. You can now register online anywhere in the state of Iowa and can register from your mobile or desktop.
Is betting on NCAA available in Iowa?
Yes, you can place bets on college teams in Iowa and you can also place wagers on in-state college teams. The only IA college betting restriction you need to keep in mind is that you cannot place any prop bets on individual college athletes. You can place NCAA bets on multiple IA sportsbooks, some will even have promotions for NCAA season.
Which sports betting apps are legal in Iowa?
There are multiple legal sports betting apps in Iowa that you can download on your mobile and start placing bets. You can find that most sportsbook apps have different promos and bonuses available, some will even have more betting features than others. For example, you won’t find the same betting features BetMGM Sportsbook app has to offer elsewhere as they have multiple features such as edit my bet.