Online Sports Betting in Iowa (2023)

Sports Betting in Iowa

Sports betting in Iowa has seen a sharp rise in recent years, and that’s no surprise. If you’re on the hunt for the best legal online sportsbooks in Iowa, look no further. Today, we’re going to detail everything you need to know about the finest sports betting sites in the state, with key information on how you can sign up right now, too.

The Hawkeye State boasts retail betting as well as online sports wagering, with some of the most impressive odds in the country found here. Moreover, the freedom given to IA sports betting enthusiasts means that you can wager whenever you want, wherever you are, the way that you want.

In a quest to help guide you to a sportsbook best suited to your needs, we’ve outlined some of the best sportsbooks in Iowa below.

#1 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - DraftKings

Arriving on the scene in the early parts of 2020, DraftKings’ success has largely been due to its ease of use and marketability. The online gambling entity teamed up with the Wild Rose Casino & Resort to set up shop in the state, and it hasn’t looked back since.

Without question, DraftKings is right up there with the very best in terms of sportsbooks in Iowa.

The platform is jam-packed with exciting offers and deals, ready to be claimed at the touch of a button. More than that, DraftKings lets customers choose between two different versions of the platform, with a downloadable app for mobile devices found on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store.

To top it all off, DraftKings has an extensive list of markets, sports, features, and also serves up a level of immersion rarely found elsewhere. All-in-all, it’s difficult to ignore the beast that is DraftKings as it’s possibly the best Iowa sports betting site.

#2 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - BetMGM

By striking a deal with Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa, BetMGM was finally able to take bets in the state. Opening in January 2021, BetMGM has since become available on both iOS mobile devices, as well as Android tablets and smartphones.

Some exciting sports you’ll see at BetMGM are:

• Soccer
• MMA
• NHL
• MLB
• Racing
• NFL
• NBA

Along with some other niche options. Add the range of promotions on display, and you’ll soon understand just why BetMGM is considered one of the finer sportsbooks currently found in IA.

Iowa sports betting was crying out for an online sportsbook that offers ongoing deals, like Parlay Plus and Odds Boost, of which the former has become a stalwart in BetMGM’s offerings. Parlay Plus enhances the likelihood of bagging an enormous win, while its sister offer, Parlay Insurance, protects against disappointing losses.

Banking is made easy by the sheer number of methods supported, including:

• Credit and debit cards
• PayPal
• Online Banking
• PayNearMe
• Discover

With a whole host of deals to grab and markets to indulge in, there are few better sites to enjoy sports betting in Iowa with than BetMGM.

#3 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - PointsBet

Based in the Catfish Bend Casino, PointsBet welcomed customers in late 2019. Enticed by its new, intuitive way to wager and win, users flocked in their masses to PointsBet right away.

Nowadays, PointsBet is well-rounded sports betting service in IA, supplying enough markets to keep everybody content. Of course, the main attraction is its popular and unique feature: PointsBetting.

PointsBetting isn’t quite the same as standard wagering. Rather than betting on a particular result, you’re gambling on how far away, or how close to, the actual outcome your bet was. The closer to the correct result you are, the greater your winnings will be. The further away, the less you’ll win.

PointsBet isn’t just a one-trick pony, though. Despite being one of many Iowa sportsbooks, the site stands out from the rest with regard to the available payment methods. Let’s say you’re stuck for time and need to deposit funds quickly to place a bet right away.

With PointsBet, this is easy because of the vast array of supported payment methods. Each of these can be found below:

• ACH
• E-check
• PayPal
• Online Bank Transfer
• Credit or Debit Card
• PayNearMe
• PointsBet Mastercard

#4 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - FanDuel

Previously best known for its popular Daily Fantasy Sports product, FanDuel’s Iowa sports betting branch has gone from strength to strength since hitting The Hawkeye State. FanDuel’s idea of bringing online sports betting to Iowa was made possible after signing a partnership with Boyd Gaming, and the launch came in September 2020.

Notable promotions customers at FanDuel are free to participate in are:

• Odds Boosts
• Prop Bonuses
• Parlay Insurance
• Refer Friends Bonus

To download the app on Android devices, head to FanDuel’s online sports betting site via a browser and follow the instructions provided. Apple users can simply open the App Store and get the application from there. Both versions are free of charge.

You won’t feel as though things have gone stale when betting at FanDuel, either. As is often the case with Iowa sports betting platforms, there are various options available for interested customers. These include:

• Moneyline bets
• Prop bets
• Point Spreads
• Totals
• Parlays
• Live betting
• Futures

All of this, and much more, is available right now at FanDuel’s online sports betting site in IA.

#5 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - BetRivers

Owned by Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers’ rise in prominence within the Iowa sports betting scene was sharp. Landing in the state not long ago, back in January 2021, the betting platform is capable of competing with each of the other sportsbooks active in the area.

By attracting customers with their cool offers, like Odds Boosts, Parlay Boosts, and Live Betting Promotions, BetRivers has accumulated a loyal player-base. Where it really blows the competition away, though, is in the iRush Rewards Program.

This is a program that looks to give back to customers that regularly play at BetRivers. The Iowa sports betting industry is booming right now, and it’s all thanks to features like this one.

For every bet you make, you’ll be credited some points. These points can be exchanged for exciting rewards, some of which you won’t find anywhere else.

Regarding the types of bets and the sports you can wager on, there are virtually no limitations at BetRivers. Read below for some of the options open to users on the site:

• Moneyline bets
• Point spreads
• Prop bets
• Totals
• Parlays
• Popular Bets
• Specials

#6 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - Caesars

Perhaps one of the most recognizable names in the entire betting industry, Caesars is one of the few sites that needs very little introduction.

Iowa welcomed another sports betting site in the form of Caesars in August 2019, following a deal between Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Immediately, the sportsbook gained attention from bettors thanks to the brilliant offers on display.

With boosts all-around, insurance on wagers as well as selected offers for prop bets, and more, Caesars hit the market with an eye for goal. Needless to say, it scored.

Much like other sportsbooks we’ve mentioned up to now, Caesars has a Rewards Program for customers that use the site often. Known as Caesars Rewards, this bonus dishes out vouchers and cash prizes, and can be linked to Caesars’ retail venues.

To pay at Caesars, use any of the following methods:

• PayPal
• Credit or debit cards
• ACH
• E-check
• Online banking
• Cash at Cage
• PayNearMe

#7 Best Sports Betting Site in Iowa - Betfred

Betfred made quite the change in moving across the pond from the UK to the US, launching its online sports betting Iowa site in September 2020. By teaming up with Elite Casino Resorts, Betfred was able to quickly settle into The Hawkeye State.

The sports you can bet on at Betfred’s Iowa leg include the likes of:

• Soccer
• MMA
• NHL
• NBA
• MLB
• NFL
• NASCAR
• Golf

With various tournaments and events available for each category. On top of that, Betfred offers users loads of different, exciting ways to place bets in the way they want. This means allowing moneylines, point spreads, over/unders, totals, teasers, parlays, props, and even futures.

At Betfred, the world of sports betting is yours to explore. This is amplified by the Live Betting feature now found on the Iowa sports betting website. Here, you can choose the event you want to wager on and watch as odds are updated in coordination with the event’s occurrences.

With all this in mind, you’ll probably want to start depositing at one of the best sites for sports betting in Iowa today. Betfred lets customers pay with these banking methods:

• Cash at Cage
• ACH
• E-check
• Skrill

How We Pick & Review the Best Sportsbooks in Iowa

Now you know the best sportsbooks in Iowa, but do you know how we found them? It’s not always easy to pick the most impressive sportsbooks in IA, and that’s why we use a specific list of criteria upon every search for the next betting site.

Here, we’re going to let you in on our secrets and guide you to finding sports betting in Iowa that suits your style of play.

Let’s get started.

Secure, Licensed & Legal

Only play at Iowa sportsbooks that are licensed by the IRGC. To find out whether or not a sports betting platform has been granted a license, we recommend scrolling to the bottom of their homepage and reading the small print. More often than not, this is where you’ll find wording relating to licensing.

Added to that, it’s also worth running the website through an online safety checker tool to see if it’s a safe place to wager. Many sites advertise as being secure, but the reality is that there are a number of illegal, shady businesses that do not care about customers. You can also tell how safe betting sites are by looking for the small grey padlock in the URL bar.

By playing at legal, licensed, and secure online betting sites in Iowa, you’ll be:

• Participating in a thriving betting community
• Avoiding illegal activity
• Providing vital information to sportsbooks on how they can improve

Good Range of Payment Methods

Sports betting in Iowa is made easy thanks to the accessibility and inclusivity offered by the most prestigious operators. These sportsbooks are aware of letting customers down by limiting the number of payment methods available, which is why most support the most popular banking options.

Of course, there are exceptions to this, and not every sportsbook can offer the same great range of payment methods. That’s why, before creating an account with Iowa sportsbooks, we recommend sifting through the banking information on the site.

Generally, the following payment methods are accepted at Iowa sports betting apps and sites:

• Credit and debit cards
• Online bank transfer
• E-wallets (PayPal)
• Cash at Cage
• Prepaid Cards

Deposits are usually processed instantly, whereas withdrawals can take a little while longer. We tend to view five business days as the upper limit for withdrawal times, but that varies from player to player.

Wide Range of Sports & Betting Markets

No matter which sport you’re interested in, you’ll probably appreciate sportsbooks that supply loads of markets more than those that don’t.

Before reviewing online betting sites, we read through the sites’ entire library of sports and betting markets to make sure it offers everything we expect. This means that the sportsbook must provide customers with various markets per sport.

Here are some sports betting markets popular in sports betting in Iowa.

• Moneylines
• Parlays
• Points Spreads
• Totals
• Prop bets
• Futures

Regardless of the sport that you’re wagering on, there’s a chance you’ll want to use a few of these at some point.

Below, we’ve listed some sports you’ll find in the best Iowa sportsbooks.

• Soccer
• MMA
• MLB
• NHL
• NBA
• NASCAR
• Golf
• Hockey

High Betting Odds

Sometimes it can feel like making a profit when betting at online sports betting sites is impossible. The truth is, you might have been playing at the wrong sportsbooks.

Always keep an eye out for betting sites that offer high betting odds. These sites will typically offer more bang for your buck, and even if your bets continue to let you down, you can rest assured that the potential to win big is still there.

For instance, let’s say you’re a soccer fan. You want to bet on Manchester United to beat Tottenham, but the sportsbook you usually use has odds at 1.5. That’s not particularly rewarding, nor is it enticing.

However, imagine that you did a little bit of sportsbook hunting and discovered a new sports betting site offering Manchester United to beat Tottenham at odds of 2.5. Already, the chances of taking home a neat win have improved.

This is something too few bettors take advantage of. There’s a whole industry of online sportsbooks to indulge in for Iowans, it’s time to explore it.

Mobile Experience & Apps

Such is the ever-growing demand for the latest technology, sportsbooks are practically required to develop downloadable sports betting apps. Or, at the very least, they must create a mobile-friendly version of the website.

With bettors on the lookout for sportsbooks that make betting while on the move easy, there are ways that you can quickly check to see whether or not the biggest sportsbooks in your area support mobile wagering.

All you need to do is open the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, then search for the sportsbook in question. If the app appears, then you can download it. If not, it probably doesn’t exist.

There are plenty of benefits to betting on the go, including:

• Betting whenever you want
• Being able to keep up to date with the latest odds
• You can quickly compare sports betting sites

Customer Support

Customer support services remain as important as ever, especially when it comes to joining a new platform. Sports betting in Iowa would be nothing if not for its customers, which is why we appreciate sportsbooks that offer extensive customer help sections.

It’s important that you can get in touch with a support agent as quickly as possible. For this reason, the following contact methods are preferable:

• Live Chat 24/7
• Telephone Support
• Email Support

Admittedly, email support is the slowest of the three. Nonetheless, it is a solid option and you’ll still get the answers you need.

Don’t forget to read the FAQs, if available.

Welcome Bonuses & Promotions

What better way to begin your journey with a new Iowa sports betting site than indulging in a welcome offer? Operators that undertake sports betting in Iowa see the need to garner attention with magnificent welcome offers, which is why they’re usually very rewarding.

Some welcome offers and promotions worth seeking out are:

• Match Bonus: This is a welcome offer that will match your deposit up to a certain amount, usually in the form of bonus cash that can only be wagered.
• No Deposit Bonus: With this offer, there’s no need to deposit. You’ll simply be required to opt-in to the offer, wager a select number of times, or follow various other requirements. 
• Free Bet: Often handed out to bettors that regularly wager on the site. Free bets commonly accompany Match Bonuses.
• Odds Boost: The sportsbook takes a standard bet and gives it a little bump. Provides better opportunities to take home a big win.
• Loyalty Programs tend to grant players each of these bonuses and more. If the online sportsbook you’re interested in offers a Rewards Program or something similar, we recommend getting in on the fun.

Live Streaming & Features

It’s becoming increasingly common for sportsbooks to offer a Live Streaming service on select events. Sometimes, you’ll need to bet on the event to access the live stream. On other occasions, the stream will be free of charge.

Live Streaming goes hand-in-hand with in-play betting. By utilizing information from the two, bettors can make more informed decisions, and hopefully, that’ll lead to more wins.

In-play betting is where sportsbooks update an event constantly based on the current state of affairs within the game or tournament. If one team looks like they’re on the back foot, the odds of them coming away with a win will decrease, which translates to higher odds on them in the in-play market. 

Other features that are popular at sites providing online sports betting in Iowa are:

• Cash-out
• In-game statistics
• Special bets 
• Parlay calculators

How to Join Sportsbooks in Iowa - Step by Step Guide

Online Sports Betting Laws in Iowa

Sports betting was made legal in 2019 following the passing of legislation that would make the IRGC regulators of the product. This law, named SF 617, came as a direct result of PASPA’s demise in 2018.

Under the blanket ban on sports betting from PASPA (Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act), Iowa could not legalize online or retail sports wagering. After restrictions were lifted, IA lawmakers penned a plan for the best way to implement sports betting in the state.

They came up with these rules:

• There is to be a ban on prop bets on IA college teams
• A 6.75% tax is applicable to all sports betting income
• Online registration would be permitted from 2021 onwards
• All sports betting licenses will come at an initial cost of $75,000

Added to that, bettors must be within Iowa’s state lines to wager and customers must be at least 21 years old. Other prohibitions include:

• Ban on eSports betting
• No wagering on high school events
• Bets on ceremonies, TV shows, and other non-sports events are prohibited
• People associated with sporting associations cannot bet on the sports in which their team participates

The Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission

Set up nearly thirty years ago, the IRGC is the sole oversight for all things gambling-related in Iowa. Originally created with sports betting far from the minds of the Commission, the IRGC now regulates and licenses every Iowa sports betting site.

The governor must select five personnel to join the IRGC board, with the Senate then prompted to vote on those members. Should the process go without a hitch, the IRGC will then begin a new term. Terms cannot last more than three years, while no more than three board members can be part of the same political party.

The IRGC has the authority to revoke licenses from gambling operators, provide new licenses to online betting sites, and punish entities that act in a way that does not benefit or protect its customers. To ensure a fair and secure gambling scene in the state, the IRGC requires that a $75,000 registration fee must be paid by new operators. Thereafter, renewal fees are $10,000.

Legal, Licensed Sportsbooks vs Offshore Betting Sites

There is no question that a rivalry exists between land-based, domestic sportsbooks and offshore, illegal betting sites. During the reign of PASPA, offshore sports betting sites sat on a throne. They had virtually no competition from American operators, thus attracted attention from anyone interested in sports betting in the US.

Today things are very different. States such as Iowa have regulatory bodies in place to protect customers from harm and operators are forced to ensure the safety of their customers’ information.

Because of these new safety measures, domestic sportsbooks in Iowa are significantly safer than their offshore counterparts. Offshore betting sites cannot guarantee that customers’ transactions are secure, nor can they prove that their security software is up to date.

The reason for this is simple: there are no regulatory bodies to verify offshore operators’ security protocols. Offshore, illegal sites are not beholden to domestic laws. Essentially, they can do whatever they like with the information you provide. 

Sports betting in Iowa, on the other hand, is arguably the safest place to bet. By playing at domestic Iowa sportsbooks, you will:

• Be protected from scams
• Ensure that your information is protected
• Join a healthy gambling environment where customers come first