Iowa Sports Betting — Best Sportsbooks and Apps

Iowa sports betting has been live since Aug. 15, 2019, when the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission licensed its first online operators. Bettors in the state can now choose from over ten legal sportsbook apps.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Iowa?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Iowa for anyone over 21 years of age. The sportsbooks are regulated by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and has been legal since August 15, 2019. 

Best Iowa Sportsbooks and Betting Apps

We have done the work of compiling a list of some of the most popular sports betting apps in Iowa. Below, we share some of the highlights of each of the apps as well as a concern for each book from users. 

FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa

• Iowa sports bettors consistently rank FanDuel Sportsbook’s intuitive bet builder as the most seamless in the state.
• Finding inspiration for a bet is easy on FanDuel with many suggestions for Midwest or Big Ten matchups.
• FanDuel typically offers some of the best odds on college football and major market props.
• In-game bettors rely on FanDuel’s lightning-fast live odds refresh to allow you to lock in live wagers without annoying line delays. 
• Some bettors have complained about customer service and payout issues being unresolved due to difficulties reaching a live person.

BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa

• Iowa sports bettors love MGM Rewards from BetMGM, which provides points to turn into bonus bets or perks.
• The “Edit My Bet” Feature allows users to add legs, swap selections, or remove legs from wagers on BetMGM.
• Iowa bettors regularly take advantage of BetMGM’s odds boosts and profit tokens for the four major sports.
• Some of the most competitive prices on the market exist on BetMGM.
• The app is not as quick as some competitors as you shuffle through the different pages or options on BetMGM.

bet365 Sportsbook Iowa

• Bet365 allows users to split bonus credits or use them in different dollar amounts instead of standard ones like $5, $10, $25, and $50.
• If you’re looking for international lines and markets, bet365 offers a deep amount of options for a wide variety of leagues.
• The early payout feature from bet365 allows users to cash bets early if their team goes up big early in the game.
• Sharp bettors are often restricted on bet sizes on bet365 if they are winning regularly.

Fanatics Sportsbook Iowa

• FanCash is the rewards program from Fanatics Sportsbook and points are given to bettors — win or lose — on every wager.
• The interface was built with a mobile user in mind, so Fanatics Sportsbook is often considered to be one of the best in the industry.
• Bettors are protected with “Fair Play” injury policies, allowing your Fanatics bet to be voided if your player gets injured early in the game.
• Fanatics Sportsbook offers great personalization in the app so you can see your favorite teams and leagues without searching.
• Bonus bets on Fanatics often expire in a short period, so be sure how long you have them before they expire.

theScore Bet Iowa

• Although tennis isn’t the most popular sport, theScore Bet does provide competitive and great odds on the market.
• Every wager on theScore Bet earns PENN Play Rewards that can be redeemed for bonus bets or turned into real-world perks at PENN properties.
• In-play stats are updated quickly, and the real-time score tracking gives users of theScore Bet a chance to wager on live games instantaneously.
• theScore Bet users often enjoy reduced juice, or odds boosts that are provided to regular users.
• Many users report theScore Bet’s app freezing or delays with location verification.

Iowa Sportsbook Welcome Offers

Iowa sports bettors can enjoy plenty of great offers from sportsbooks. Any time to sign up is a good time, as new users receive bet-and-get, profit boost, or deposit match offers. Bet-and-get allows new users to place a small wager and receive funds in the form of bonus bets. Profit boost bets take your wager and multiply the winnings by a set amount (often double). Deposit match offers entice you to deposit, and the sportsbook matches the amount you deposited. Welcome offers do expire, so make sure to use them before they do. 

How to Sign Up for a Sportsbook in Iowa

1. Download the Iowa sportsbook app of your choice.
2. Enter your personal information.
3. Go through account verification and location checks.
4. Deposit funds into your account.
5. Claim the welcome offer. Note: This step may be completed during the sign-up process.
6. Place your first wager. (You must be within the state limits to wager, and note that being by the border of a state could fail the geolocation check).

Iowa Sports Betting Laws and Timeline

Sports betting has been legal since August 15, 2019, but the groundwork that was laid by Senate File 617 (2019) was signed into law on May 13th, 2019.

Teams and Markets to Bet On in Iowa

There are no professional teams to wager on in Iowa, but they have plenty of colleges that generate interest. The Iowa Hawkeyes are regularly a strong team in both college football and basketball. Iowa State University is one of the better basketball teams on the college scene. 

College Sports Betting Rules in Iowa

You can wager on college sports in Iowa, but you cannot place player prop bets for in state schools. 

Retail Sportsbooks in Iowa

If you prefer to place a wager in person, there are licensed locations in Iowa. 

Licensed Retail Locations:

Ameristar Casino Hotel (ESPN BET) – Council Bluffs

Catfish Bend Casino (Fanatics Sportsbook) – Burlington

Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque (FanDuel Sportsbook) – Dubuque

Diamond Jo Casino Worth (FanDuel Sportsbook) – Northwood

Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort (Elite Sportsbook) – Larchwood

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Hard Rock Bet) – Sioux City

Harrah’s Council Bluffs (Caesars Sportsbook) – Council Bluffs

Horseshoe Council Bluffs (Caesars Sportsbook) – Council Bluffs

Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf (Caesars Sportsbook) – Bettendorf

Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo (Caesars Sportsbook) – Waterloo

Lakeside Hotel Casino (DRF Sportsbook) – Osceola

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino (Caesars Sportsbook) – Altoona

Q Casino (Q Sportsbook) – Dubuque

Rhythm City Casino Resort (Elite Sportsbook) – Davenport

Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (Elite Sportsbook) – Riverside

Responsible Gambling Resources in Iowa

• 1-800-GAMBLER
• 1-800-MY-RESET
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700
• Gam-Anon and Gamblers Anonymous
• 1-800-BETS-OFF
• Your Life Iowa
• IRGC Self-Exclusion

Iowa Sports Betting FAQ

Is sports betting legal in Iowa?

Yes, sports betting is legal for anyone over the age of 21 who has registered within the state. 

What is the best sportsbook in Iowa?

The best sportsbook in Iowa is whichever one you enjoy using the most. Check out our detailed list of options above to see which is best for you.  

How old do you have to be to bet in Iowa?

You must be at least 21 years old to bet on sports in Iowa.

Can you bet on college sports in Iowa?

Yes, you can bet on college sports in Iowa, including Iowa colleges and universities. You cannot bet on college player props in Iowa for in state schools. 

Do you have to live in Iowa to bet there?

No, you only need to be physically located inside of the state at the time of the wager. 

How many sportsbooks are legal in Iowa?

There are over 10 legal sportsbooks in Iowa.

Can you bet on sports in Iowa without an app?

You can bet on sports in person at over a dozen different locations in Iowa.