Sports Betting Iowa
Iowa is one of those states in the US that quickly legalized sports betting immediately the Supreme Court lifted a federal ban and overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) back in May 2018. With that, legal sports betting has therefore been live and active in Iowa since August 2019.
The state of Iowa allows both retail and online sports betting sites to operate there. As of January 1st, 2021, all Iowans had the freedom to sign up for an online sports betting account with a bookie of their choice from any location within the state. Before then, it meant that in-person registration required bettors to visit casinos of their choice before placing bets in the Hawkeye State.
Now, all Iowans are free to engage in online sports betting, provided they are doing so at a licensed bookmaker. No sports are off-limits here, but the only type of wager that the betting law prohibits are college player props. With online sports betting now legal in Iowa, bettors in the Hawkeye State have access to 12 online bookmakers. While all the available bookies claim to be the best in business, that’s not necessarily the case.
Are you looking to wager at some of the top online bookmakers in Iowa? Perhaps you want to play at Iowa Sportsbooks that offer decent odds, plenty of bet types and options, several banking methods,some of the best bonuses, and that one with a decent Iowa sports betting app that you can find. If that’s the case, count yourself lucky. You are definitely in the right place. Keep reading.
Best Bookmakers in Iowa
As mentioned earlier, now with legalized sports betting becoming a reality in Iowa, there are a dozen bookmakers all competing for business. Some offer top-notch services while others are just average. Based on our review, we established the following to be the top Iowa Sportsbooks that you may want to try:
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is another sportsbook that operates in Iowa and home to one of the most popular sports betting apps in Iowa. A primary reason as to why their app is one of the most popular in Iowa is that in part, the app is under the backing of the MGM brand name. But again, it’s because BetMGM is one of the most trustworthy, reliable, competitive, and feature-rich platforms across the United States. The BetMGM Sportsbook is one of the best apps around, with a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on the Apple App Store. BetMGM also offer its customers an incredible parlay profit boost that sees payouts increasing by up to 40%. That is on top of all the other promotional offers that you can expect to find available at BetMGM Iowa.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa makes it to the list of top bookmakers in the Hawkeye State primarily because they offer one of the largest risk-free bets that go up to $1,000. At FanDuel, a lost bet is refunded in terms of betting credits, which players can use in any combination of bets. That’s unlike in other sportsbooks where risk-free bets are refunded as second chance free bet of equal value.
Beyond FanDuel’s introductory offer great introductory offer, this bookmaker offers its customers are remarkable number of daily promos. These are some of the most innovative and enticing offers when it comes to sports betting. Some of the promos that you can find here include cashback offers, odds boosters, and free tournaments, to mention but a few. That’s on top of the best odds available in Iowa, edging out top rivals such as BetMGM and DraftKings.
Caesars Sportsbook
A few weeks after Caesars acquired full ownership of William Hill, one of the oldest and the most respected betting firms in the globe, it underwent rebranding to become Caesars Sportsbook. Even though William Hill may be more of a household name in the United Kingdom, Caesars Entertainment name has managed to give players in the U.S. and more so those in Iowa high levels of confidence.
Since entering Iowa sports betting scene, Caesars Sportsbook has achieved much, living up to its reputation as one of the best bookies in business. With an impressive market depth, attractive odds, and unrivaled rewards program, without a doubt, Caesars Iowa comes highly recommended. If you are looking for a nice place to enjoy betting at high odds limits, you may want to check Caesars Sportsbook.
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa is another excellent sports betting platform that has managed to achieve a lot in a short span of time. The sportsbook does an amazing job via desktop, and you’ll enjoy your time navigating their site. New members that sign up with BetRivers can claim a 100% deposit bonus up to $250. That’s essentially doubling your initial deposit up to a total of $500.
It gets even better with their 1x wagering requirement, meaning that you need to wager the full amount just once to be able withdraw any winnings. Players are also able to use their bonus funds on a combination of wagers with odds of -200 or longer. While their app might need slight improvements, nevertheless, what might be the best welcome bonus in Iowa is something worth considering.
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa is one of the top and the best online sports betting options for bettors in the Hawkeye State. Few Iowa sports betting sites are able to compete with the sheer number of betting lines that are available here on a day-to-day basis. DraftKings have some of the best odds across Iowa’s sports betting market, something that makes Iowa one of the best places to wager in the United States.
make a $5 deposit. To make things even sweeter, new members here receive a 20% welcome bonus up to $1,000. Should you choose to opt in, expect a $1 in bonus cash for every $25 you place in real-money bets.
PointsBet Sportsbook
PointsBet is one of those newly established bookmakers in the U.S. but already making some good progress, and already turning out to be as highly regarded choice among bettors in Iowa. For players in the Hawkeye State, PointsBet is one of the best online sports betting sites for a number of reasons. For instance, they have amazing odds, along with their “no juice” promotion of some select points spread events such as the NFL playoffs.
PointsBet offers PointsBetting to its customers. Here, players get to place bets on an over/under totals bet, and the amount that they get to win is determined by the exact score of the match. The more right you were, the higher you get to win, and the more incorrect you are, the higher your losses. It gets even better with their welcome bonus that consists of 2 risk free bets of up to $2,000 on fixed odds up to $500, along with a PointsBetting bet up to $1,500.
Barstool Sportsbook
Barstool Sportsbook Iowa is now live, making it one the latest states where the emerging sports betting app is legally open for business. Barstool Sportsbook arrival in Iowa comes at a perfect time for online sports betting fans in the state, as the NFL and college football regular season is joined by NHL and nightly NBA slates.
New members that register their accounts here stand to get a $1,000 risk-free bet promo, along with several other creative promotions. Bettors at Barstool can immediately jump into the mix on several games, such as the World Series. New players whose opening wagers lose don’t need to worry as the sportsbook issues site credits equivalent to the losing bet amount. Opening an account here is easy and only takes a few minutes to set up.
Unibet Sportsbook
Regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Unibet Sportsbook Iowa is another top bookmaker that you may want to try. If there’s something that makes this bookmaker stand out from the rest, it’s the sheer number of bonuses and promotions that they offer. New players qualify for a $250 risk free bets.
Players can also claim up to $125 in bonus funds, not forgetting their $25 bonus for each friend that you refer to them. Other special offers here include Level Up Parlay Booster, Infinite Parlay Boosts, Weekly Free Bets, and Daily Boost offers, to mention but a few.
Iowa Sports Betting Sites: A Comparative Look
| Bookmaker | Bonus Offer | Best For | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Up to $1,000 risk free bet | Best for experienced players | Yes |
| FanDuel | Up to $1,000 in risk free bets | Best for Android and iOS App | Yes |
| Caesars | Up to $1,001 first bet match | Best for new bettors | Yes |
| BetRivers | Up to 100% deposit bonus | Best for deposit bonus | Yes |
| DraftKings | Up to $1,000 welcome bonus | Best for DFS players | Yes |
| PointsBet | Up to $1,500 in PointsBetting | Best for risky bettors | Yes |
| Barstool | Up to $1,000 in risk free bet | Best for risk free bets | Yes |
| Unibet | Up to 250% in risk free bets | Best for bonus offers and promotions | Yes |
Mobile Apps for Android and iOS in Iowa
The best feature that comes with sports betting apps is that you can place bets wherever and whenever. Better yet, you can tap other innovative wagering features, such as live streaming and live betting, which lets place your bets as events are progressing. Even though you can still wager from your desktop computer, that’s not a necessity as such. Sports betting apps allow you to sign up, deposit and claim your promotional deals from your iOS or Android device.
Nearly all bookmakers that operate in Iowa now have mobile apps that you can get from Apple App Store or Google Play Store and use them to wager while you are on the move. But should the brand you settle for lack a dedicated iOS app for your Apple device, you may choose to wager from the site. But most bookmakers have apps for Android and iOS devices.
Downloading and navigating mobile apps in Iowa is easy, with most bookmakers ensuring that their apps are seamless to navigate. As mentioned earlier, all the Iowa Sportsbooks that we mention here have their own dedicated mobile apps that are so easy to use.
How to Place Online Sports Bets in Iowa
It’s very easy to get started with online sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Here’s how to go about it:
Step 1
Select your ideal Iowa online bookmaker – Before January 1, 2021, bettors had to find access to brick-and-mortar casinos to place bets. However, things have changed and Iowans have easy access to online/mobile registration. Major bookmakers such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetRivers are some of the top bookies to register with and bet. First, find an elite sportsbook Iowa that interests you then proceed.
Step 2
Sign Up and Verify – Now that you’ve settled for an ideal bookmaker of your choice, fill out all the required details (name, username, password, and date of birth) and any other information that the bookie may need. All this info is meant to protect you. Once done, go ahead and verify your account.
Step 3
Fund your account with a preferred payment method–Plenty of bookmakers will take you straight to the deposit screen. Once here, key in your personal information, your preferred payment method and then click on the ‘deposit’ icon. You need to note that you’ll also use the same method to cash out your winnings.
Step 4
Go ahead and place bet(s) in Iowa – Now you are there. At this point, navigate to the “Sport” section and click on the line you want. Head to your bet slip, enter the amount of your bet, and submit. Congrats! You’ve just placed your first bet in Iowa.
Different Types of Promotions & Bonuses Offered by Iowa Sportsbooks
Online sports betting fans in the Hawkeye State have the edge when it comes to benefitting from bookmaker bonuses. With more than 10 sportsbooks now possible and some expected to launch soon, there are plenty of brands that are in competition for bettors’ business. As a player here, you’ll notice almost every other bookmaker here offering you enticing welcome bonuses.
Besides welcome offers, bookmakers in Iowa also have other offers to look out for as a bettor here. For instance, you’ll notice a good number of them offering you free bets to get your bankroll started. Others will offer you a matched welcome bonus where they double your initial deposit to 100% upon signing up with them. Risk free bets, reload bonuses, and refer-a-friend bonus offers are also common among Iowa Sportsbooks.
Apart from the several bonus offers that you stand to get from bookies in Iowa, you can equally benefit from other promotional offers available here such as VIP loyalty schemes, odds boosts and cash-back offers that may come in several formats.
Payment Methods Available for Iowa Players
Players in Iowa will be pleased to know that there are several safe and convenient banking methods at their disposal. Players wishing to fund their accounts and those who want to cash out or withdraw their winnings won’t be limited on the number of banking options that are supported by top and legal sports betting sites in Iowa. Most Iowa Sportsbooks understand the importance of diversity, a reason as to why most of them offer more than a single method of deposit or withdrawal. Some of the available banking methods supported by top Iowa sports betting sites include:
- Branded Prepaid Cards
- ACH/e-Check Bank Transfers
- Bill Pay
- Bank Wire
- Electronic Wallets
- PayNearMe
Some methods, such as Bank Transfers may be slow and not convenient when it comes to initiating withdrawals but they are the most secure. But since bettors have different preferences, you can choose the one that you find ideal for you.
Types of Sports Bets Offered by Iowa Bookmakers
Popular sports bet types that you can find at legal online betting sites operating in Iowa include the following:
- Moneyline bets – The moneyline are the easiest of them all. Here, you just select which team will win the match. The odds are in positive or negative. For example, you may see -150 or +140. Minus means less money, while plus means more cash. Odds of -150 mean that you have to wager $150 to win $100.
- Parlay – Parlays link two or more wagers/bets into a single bet. A big advantage here is that a player can increase his or her bankroll than wagering on each match independently. The downside is that in parlays all the bets have to win so that you get your funds.
- Spreads – This is another popular form of wagering not only in Iowa, but also in many places across the United States. For you to win, you must beat the spread which is a line that the bookmaker sets. This form of wagering is ideal for matches where both teams score many points.
- Futures – This is the placing on wagers on an event in the future, but not the near future. For example, you can’t bet on a match scheduled to take place tomorrow, but on events well into the future such as which team will win the Super Bowl when the season ends.
- Totals – This involves betting on the score of both teams paired together. After the bookmaker sets the line, you can choose to wager on the “under” or the “over.”
- Teasers – These are points spread wagers where there’s the adjustment of the spread by points in a bettor’s favor on more than a single game. You’ll mostly find them on professional sporting activities such as football and basketball.
- Round Robin- This is also another popular type of betting, especially in online sports gambling. Round Robin allows a bettor to lay several parlay wagers at the same time in a single wager. Unlike standard parlays, bettors don’t need to win every wager for their bet to win.
In-play betting at Iowa Sportsbooks
In-play is placing bets after an event has already commenced. Obvious examples are football, a cricket match or even a horse race. In-play betting is often referred to as live betting or in-running betting by some. In-play betting is one of the latest betting trends that has revolutionized much to do with online sports betting. Live betting is a common type of wagering at almost all Iowa Sportsbooks. At Iowa bookies, you can go ahead and wager while the games are underway at some of the best odds possible. For plenty of Iowa bookies, the fun doesn’t stop when the games begin. You can wager even up to the last minute of the game.
Sports Games and Leagues to Bet on in Iowa
You can wager on almost every other sport game and league available in Iowa. Here you can wager on almost any sport that you want including major sports such as football, hockey, baseball, basketball and golf. Also, if you so wish, you can wager on international sporting events that aren’t common in the United States, such as rugby and cricket. Some of the biggest leagues that attract plenty of bettors in Iowa include the NBA, MLB, NFL, MLS and PGA. You can wager on any of these in Iowa if you feel like doing so.
Professional Sports Teams to Bet on in Iowa
Iowa is among one of the initial states to pass a sports betting law that allowed sports betting in full swing. However, despite the state being home to big cities such as Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Des Moines, surprisingly, there are no professional sports teams in Iowa. There are just college teams available for betting at this time. With such, bettors are forced to wager on professional sports teams that are located in bordering states. For example, MLB fans in Iowa will have to place bets for teams like the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins or the Kansas Royals.
Responsible Sports Betting in Iowa
The state of Iowa and a good percentage of bookmakers who operate there have for the better part showed their commitment to responsible gambling. Betting can be fun and entertaining, but for some it may turn out to be problematic and addictive. Iowa requires all the online sports betting sites in the state to have a “responsible gambling” badge at the top of every page. A good example is Caesars Sportsbook. Here, you’ll find everything from treating patrons in a fair manner to everything dealing with the destructive nature of problem gambling.
Also, you’ll find rules on how to go about enjoyable and safe gambling. Even though there aren’t self-exclusion for all the bookmakers, individual sites will give you easy access to their suite of tools that will help you in managing your betting activities or let you self-exclude if that’s your wish. Top bookmakers in Iowa have several elements of responsible gambling policy that include self-assessment questionnaire, helpful links to treatment or assistance organizations, how to limit your betting tools, time out, and self-exclusion.
The Legal Framework of Online Sports Betting in Iowa
Fully online sports betting went officially live in Iowa as of January 1, 2021. Legal betting had been in existence in the Hawkeye State since 2019, but prior to 2021, sports betting fans had to avail themselves physically in a casino, sign up and then play. But since the passing of the sports betting law in Iowa, players can now register, deposit and wager from anywhere within the state lines. But for one to engage in gambling in Iowa, s/he must be 21 years of age and above. Of importance to note is that in the United States, maters to do with gambling is taxed both federally as well as locally. In Iowa, for instance, there’s a withholding rule of 5% of players’ gambling wins, with 24% of the taxes withheld for federal taxes.
Online Casinos in Iowa
As things currently stand in the State of Iowa, there are no state-regulated online casinos. Visitors to Iowa plus the residents can enjoy their favorite online slots and other casino games, but only at sweepstakes-based online casinos instead.
Daily Fantast Sports (DFS) in Iowa
With the passing of Iowa’s sports betting law in 2019, the use of daily fantasy sports (DFS) was passed as legal in the state. If you are a fan of DFS and residing in Iowa, you can go ahead and play or wager on such contests without the fear of persecution. Top daily fantasy sports sites in Iowa are DraftKings and FanDuel.
Iowa Sports Gambling FAQs
What’s the legal age of gambling in Iowa?
For you to place online sports bets in the state of Iowa, you must be 21 years of age and above.
Must I be a resident of Iowa to place bets at Iowa Sportsbooks?
Not at all. You just need to be physically within the stateliness of Iowa to be able to place your bets.
Can I wager from my iPhone in Iowa?
Absolutely! Many top bookmakers in Iowa have apps designed for iOS, meaning that you can wager from your phone.
Are all forms of betting legal in Iowa?
All forms of betting are deemed illegal, unless the state says that they are legal.
Is Bovada, BetUS, and MyBookies legit betting sites in Iowa?
Even though they are considered offshore betting sites, they are all licensed to operate in Iowa. Therefore, they are fully legit.
Do I have to pay taxes on my gambling winnings in Iowa?
Yes. The state of Iowa considers gambling from winnings as income and subject to 5% tax.
Is DFS legal in Iowa?
Yes. With the passing of the sports betting law, DFS was considered legal. There’s no harm in enjoying such contests in Iowa.
How safe are Iowa betting sites?
Almost all of them are safe, licensed and operate under the watch of The Racing and Gaming Commission.
Yan Zhylinski
Pro
Published: 12/17/2021
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