Both retail and online sports betting went live in Iowa during August 2019. More Great Sportsbook Apps. Iowa sports betting is off to a strong start, but it’s far from the only state that offers legal sports wagering. Sports Betting Dime will help you find the best places to bet across the country. Online Sportsbook - Live Online Betting Odds & Lines Sportsbook is your source for the best in sports betting entertainment. You'll find the widest variety of bets and odds in every sport imaginable including Major League Baseball, soccer, CFL football betting, NASCAR auto racing, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA and all of the NFL season action. How to Use NJ Online Sports Betting Sites and Apps. Whichever sportsbook you choose, the online interfaces tend to be broadly similar. Chances are, you will find a list of sports at the side or top of the website, or in a drop-down menu on an app. All of the state’s 19 casinos now hold valid sports betting licenses, and and can host two online skins each. While there are some smaller, more local online options like Elite Sportsbook and Q Sportsbook, Iowa bettors also have access to major industry players like PointsBet, DraftKings and Hard Rock, too. MSport offers more best odds, more vouchers, best betting experience, fast deposit & withdrawal, exclusive functions, and 7.24 customer service for you. MSport - More Than Sport.
In May 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court officially struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The landmark decision restored the right for each state to individually pursue sports betting by creating their own set of rules and regulations. Over the years many states have exercised that right, creating a diverse, flourishing sports betting industry in the United States.
On this page we’ll breakdown all of the states that now have legal, regulated sports betting, and the online operators where you can place wagers. If you have general questions about online sports betting in the U.S., we’ve got your answers.
In the post-PASPA world each state is responsible for creating its own set of sports betting rules. While there are some similarities, there’s still room for plenty of variety from state to state. Some only permit retail sports betting, while some include online wagering too, and others only allow for online betting. Here’s our breakdown of every state that now has some form of legal online sports betting.
State | Sports Betting Status | Online or Retail | Launch |
---|---|---|---|
New Jersey | Legal + Live | Both | June 2018 |
West Virginia | Legal + Live | Both | August 2018 |
Mississippi | Legal + Live | Retail Only (online on premises) | August 2018 |
Pennsylvania | Legal + Live | Both | November 2018 |
Rhode Island | Legal + Live | Both | November 2018 |
Iowa | Legal + Live | Both | August 2019 |
Oregon | Legal + Live | Both | August 2019 |
Indiana | Legal + Live | Both | September 2019 |
New Hampshire | Legal + Live | Both (though retail isn't live yet) | December 2019 |
Illinois | Legal + Live | Both | March 2020 |
Michigan | Legal + Live | Both (though online isn't live yet) | March 2020 |
Colorado | Legal + Live | Both | May 2020 |
Tennessee | Legal + Live | Online Only | November 2020 |
Virginia | Legal + Live | Both (though retail isn't live yet) | January 2021 |
The first state in the country to legalize sports betting, Nevada thrived for years under PASPA as the nation’s sports betting capital. It’s no longer the only game in town, but Nevada, and Las Vegas specifically, are still king. Online wagering is now available throughout Nevada using a number of different apps. MGM, William Hill, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Wynn, and plenty of other leading casino brands now offer online sportsbooks and betting apps.
New Jersey led the push for online sports betting in the U.S. Retail wagering began in June 2018, just a month after PASPA fell. Online sites went live in August of the same year. All of Atlantic City’s major casinos now offer luxurious retail sports betting experiences, and online bettors can join the action from anywhere in the state with more than a dozen books (and counting!) to choose from. Many bettors from New York travel to NJ to place bets while they wait for the home state to enter the market.
Pennsylvania actually passed online sports betting legislation in 2017 while PASPA was still in play. However, despite the head start, its rollout was slower than expected. The first retail books opened in November 2018, but online bettors had to wait until May of 2019. A massive iGaming state due to its population, PA bettors can now choose from a host of top online operators including BetRivers, FanDuel, DraftKings, and FOX Bet.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb placed the state’s ceremonial first bet on September 1, 2019. Within a month more than 10 Indiana brick-and-mortar casinos were operating retail sportsbooks. An efficient online rollout was completed just a month later, with BetRivers and DraftKings taking the state’s first online bets on October 3rd.
West Virginia officially opened its sports betting market on August 30, 2018. It took nearly a full year for online wagering to arrive in a permanent capacity, with both FanDuel and DraftKings accepting their first online bets in August 2019. Each of the state’s five brick-and-mortar casinos now has a retail sports betting facility, and can host up to three online skins on its license… so there’s a lot of growth potential in the Mountain State.
Iowa was the first state to launch both online and retail sports betting simultaneously. While a handful of retail sportsbooks opened their doors on Day 1 of the market – Aug. 15 – William Hill also became the first active online bookmaker. All of the state’s 19 casinos now hold valid sports betting licenses, and and can host two online skins each. While there are some smaller, more local online options like Elite Sportsbook and Q Sportsbook, Iowa bettors also have access to major industry players like PointsBet, DraftKings and Hard Rock, too.
Iowa elected to require in-person registration during the market’s first year but that is now a thing of the past. As of January 1, 2021, remote registration for all legal and live online sportsbooks is available. This means you can sign up anywhere there is an internet connection via your computer or mobile device.
Mississippi is a little tricky. Retail sports betting is alive and well at more than twenty locations around the state. Online wagering is *technically* legal, though there’s a pretty harsh restriction that requires bettors to be on premises at a retail casino. With some states accepting more than 80% of wagers online, full fledged state-wide mobile is a big miss in Miss.
Since November 2018 both of Rhode Island’s casinos have offered retail sports betting. William Hill has partnered with the state lottery to run online operations, which began in September 2019. Notably, Rhode Island is one of the few states that set the age bar at just 18
Oregon kicked off its sports betting industry in August 2019 with the opening of its first retail sportsbook. There’s just one online sports betting option, Scoreboard, which is run by the Oregon lottery and began accepting wagers in October ’19.
New Hampshire launched state-wide online sports betting in the final days of 2019. After agreeing to a generous, near even revenue split with the state, DraftKings was chosen to be the sole online sports betting operator. Retail sportsbooks will follow, but haven’t opened yet.
Illinois is a big state for online sports betting in the United States because of its large population base. The first regulated sports bets were placed on March 9, 2020, at the Rivers Casino Des Plaines. Online wagering kicked off on June 18, 2020 when BetRivers took the first online wager.
Established providers like DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, and William Hill have all joined the fray, with more expected to follow.
Michigan managed to push through legislation for online sports betting, casino and DFS in December 2019. The MGM Grand and the Greektown Casino became the first brick-and-mortar sportsbooks to open, accepting the state’s first bets on March 11, 2020. Online sports betting and casino gaming launched together on January 22, 2021.
Colorado voters narrowly approved the state’s sports betting referendum in late 2019, with the market officially launching on May 1, 2020. With 33 casinos, all of which are now allowed to offer retail betting and establish online partners, Colorado could get crowded. Wynn Resorts, theScore, Circa Sports, and a host of other sites have already confirmed that they will have an online presence in Colorado.
Tennessee bucked convention by approving an online-only sports betting bill in 2019. However, it was far from a rapid-release in the Volunteer State. Tennessee finally accepted its first legal bets on November 1, 2020.
To the surprise of many, Virginia approved legal sports betting in March 2020. Governor Ralph Northam’s signature set the gears in motion towards launch. The first online sportsbooks in VA went live on January 21, 2021. Retail sportsbooks are coming too, but will need significantly more time to get off the ground.
Many of the gaming industry’s biggest names, both within the U.S. and abroad, have expanded their operations to include online sports betting. Prominent bookmakers in the regulated U.S. market include:
DraftKings, a name synonymous with massive daily fantasy sports contests, has quickly grown its presence within the regulated sports betting industry. DraftKings Sportsbook was the first online sportsbook to go live in New Jersey, and is expected to have a presence in virtually every legal U.S. market.
Another DFS giant, FanDuel is now one of the biggest online sportsbooks in the business. New Jersey was first on its list, launching online operations on September 7, 2018. Like DraftKings, the FanDuel Sportsbook brand is expected to be among the most common operators around the country.
A relatively new, innovative Aussie-based bookmaker, PointsBet has made serious waves during its short history. New Jersey was up first, followed by Iowa, Indiana, and more. PointsBet’s clean mobile interface and unique offerings make it a stand out option.
A blue blood of retail casino gaming in the U.S., BetMGM is now strengthening its online presence. Like many operators, NJ was the first step, with WV, IN, an NV following. BetMGM has also announced intentions to operate in PA and MI as well, but is not yet live. It’s likely that every state with an MGM property (and even some without!) will eventually host a BetMGM online sportsbook.
FOX Bet, operating through its partnership with the Stars Group, originally launched in New Jersey under the BetStars name. In August 2019 a full rebrand was completed to FOX Bet, which will serve as the company’s primary sports betting platform in the U.S. Though not yet live, FOX Bet has already announced an agreement to offer sports betting in Indiana and Michigan.
BetRivers is the online extension of the B+M Rivers Casinos, which operate in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. Online operations for the company first began in New Jersey under the SugarHouse brand, and then expanded to include Pennsylvania when the market launched. BetRivers was first to market in Illinois (live and online) thanks to its retail sportsbook in Des Plaines.
William Hill is one of the world’s largest bookmakers, accepting wagers in the UK since the 1930s. Will Hill now offers online sports betting in numerous U.S. states, and operates as a retail sportsbook sponsor in several more. New partnerships in both Colorado, Indiana, and Michigan have already been established.
For the moment Borgata online sportsbook is a one hit wonder. They’re one of the top grossing books in the busy New Jersey market thanks to the tie in with its luxurious Atlantic City resort. However, the brand has yet to expand outside of the Garden State.
Caesars is one of the most iconic names in the retail casino industry. Opening first in New Jersey and Nevada, the Caesars online sportsbook ties in beautifully with the company’s popular Caesars Rewards program, and offers an excellent sports betting experience to boot. Expansion to the midwestern states of Indiana and Iowa is expected soon.
Backed by its enormous parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI), the BetAmerica brand is quickly becoming a prominent sports betting fixture. Online sports betting with BetAmerica online sportsbook first opened in New Jersey, followed by Pennsylvania, with Indiana joining at the tail end of 2019. As more states legalize sports betting, expect to see more BetAmerica sportsbooks nationwide.
Unibet is a massive European bookmaker that’s been around since the late 90s. Its first venture into the U.S. market took place in 2019, partnering with Golden Nugget to provide online sports betting in New Jersey. A few months later through an agreement with the Mohegan Sun, operation spread to Pennsylvania.
Headquartered in Gibraltar, 888 Holdings has maintained a strong presence in the iGaming world since 1997. In the U.S. 888 currently offers online sports betting, casino, and poker in the state of New Jersey. Likely future destinations include Pennsylvania and Michigan, where the company could capitalize on its ability to offer all three products.
The Golden Nugget casino has been an icon of old town Vegas since 1946. It waited nearly 60 years to expand east. With an eye on iGaming in New Jersey, Golden Nugget purchased the bankrupt Trump Marina in 2011 and now operates online sportsbooks in both NJ, and NV.
In conjunction with tech provider GiG, Hard Rock’s online sportsbook premiered in New Jersey in 2019. Just a few months later Iowa became its second state of operation in December of the same year. Its a safe bet that any state with legal sports betting and a Hard Rock Casino will also have access to Hard Rocks online sportsbook.
theScore is a Canadian digital media company that specializes in providing sports related news, information, and of course – scores. theScore Bet, its mobile sports betting app, debuted in New Jersey in September 2019, operating on the Monmouth Park gaming license. theScore has recently announced plans to offer mobile sports betting Colorado and Indiana as well.
Philly-based Parx has long been a regional contender, spreading online casino games in both NJ and PA. Sportsbook has remained exclusive to the Pennsylvania market, though expansion to Michigan will be coming through a recently announced agreement with the Gun Lake Casino.
The Wynn has been a luxurious fixture in Las Vegas since it first opened in 2005. Wynn Sports extends the company’s reach beyond the strip, as bettors are able to enjoy a premium sportsbook experience online, from anywhere in the state of Nevada. Wynn has also reached an agreement with Full House Resorts to expand the brand slightly further east, to operate in Colorado.
In early 2020 Penn National Gaming purchased a 36% stake in Barstool Sports with the intention of making it the company’s primary sportsbook brand. Expect to see Barstool Sportsbooks, both retail and online, around the country soon.
Just like how sports betting law looks different in each state, the same can be said for each of the United States’ principal sports leagues. Some have taken an active, progressive, stance – while others have yet to embrace it fully. In this section we’ll summarize each major league and its stance on sports betting.
In the U.S., the NFL is king – and the king has started to come around on sports betting. While not quite all-in – at the very least, years of outright opposition from the NFL are a thing of the past. The Oakland Raiders are now the Las Vegas Raiders, and will play all of their home games in the gambling capital of the world. On the franchises first official day in Las Vegas it announced a lucrative partnership with MGM Resorts International.
Elsewhere, NFL owners clearly have sports betting on the mind. The Washington Redskins will be tenants of FedEX Field in Maryland until 2027, however, owner Dan Snyder has made it clear that he wants the team to become a sports betting licensee. This has lead to Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia all aggressively pursuing sports betting legislation in hopes of landing the team. Wherever they end up, it’s clear that sports betting will only increase in stature with the league over the coming years.
Use our NFL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
In recent years the NBA has been, perhaps, the most progressive U.S. sports league when it comes to sports betting. It hasn’t always been that way, though. The former Commissioner, David Stern, was part of the lobby that led to the creation of PASPA in 1992.
However, since the regime changed in 2014, things have been different. Just months after taking over, new Commissioner Adam Silver published an op-ed piece with the New York Times entitled “Legalize and Regulate Sports Betting” – adamantly advocating for the legalization, and regulation of sports betting in the United States.
Today, the NBA has a growing list of authorized sports betting partnerships with major operators including DraftKings, The Stars Group, Unibet, theScore, MGM, and FanDuel. The agreements grant the sports betting sites access to the use of NBA trademarks and official league data.
The NBA has been a big proponent of integrity fees, which essentially earns the league a cut of the sports betting profits. It uses these fees to invest in its own league, and ensure the integrity of its games remains intact.
In addition, the Washington Wizards’ Capital One Arena looks set to become the first sports venue in the United States to house a retail sportsbook.
Use our NBA odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
In the years post-PASPA, the MLB has become far more accepting of sports betting. For one, after seeing a decline in popularity amongst younger fans, it’s a new and exciting way for the league to engage with new demographics. Often criticized for its slow pace, it’s now possible to create excitement through in-game wagering.
Major League Baseball isn’t a stranger to sports betting controversy. Pete Rose is perhaps the most well known betting scandal in the history of U.S. sports. One of the leagues all-time greats, Rose was famously banned for life in 1989 after illegally betting on the team he was managing at the time. Arguments for his Hall of Fame candidacy continue more than 30 years later.
MLB, like the NBA, has been a big advocate for integrity fees – seeking to promote a healthy sports betting atmosphere while avoiding any Rose-like scandals. The league now has numerous sports betting partners, including FanDuel, MGM, and FOX Bet.
Use our MLB odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
The NHL surprised many in the sports betting world by awarding the gambling Mecca, Las Vegas, with its first professional sports franchise in 2017. In their inaugural season the Las Vegas Golden Knights had roughly 10-15x more action placed on them than any other NHL team.
Since PASPA was overturned in 2018, the NHL, like the NBA and MLB, has also engaged in exclusive agreements with sports betting operators. William Hill, FanDuel, and MGM are amongst the current partnerships. These operators have the right to use the official league data and other intellectual property.
Use our NHL odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but the NCAA is strongly anti-sports betting. That doesn’t mean they aren’t popular events to bet on. For example, opening rounds of the NCAAB March Madness typically rank amongst the busiest days of the year for sportsbooks.
While still seeking to protect amateur athletes at all cost, the NCAA has come around a little bit. After originally banning championship games from taking place in states with legal betting, in 2019 they performed an about-face as more and more states pursued it. It’s now possible that we’ll see NCAAF bowl games at the new Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas, or the NCAA tournament hosted at T-Mobile.
Collegiate sports remain one of the most common restrictions for states to specify when legalizing sports betting. Many have elected to exclude sportsbooks in their state from offering action on in-state college teams, college props, or even college events taking place within the state.
Use our NCAAB odds and NCAAF odds comparison tool to compare lines between legal U.S. sportsbooks.
So why is sports betting taking hold around the country now? It all has to do with a 30-year-old, now overturned law: the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Originally passed in 1992, PASPA sought to protect the integrity of both professional and amateur sports by essentially outlawing sports betting throughout the country. Nevada, having already legalized sports wagering, was exempt – and flourished as the nation’s sports betting capital under PASPA.
However, other state’s wanted a piece of the pie. New Jersey was pivotal in the fight to overturn PASPA. After years of efforts, Governor Chris Christie finally succeeded in getting a case in front of the Supreme Court in 2017. In May 2018 the court finally reached its verdict, declaring the law unconstitutional by a 6-3 vote. The Supreme Court decided that PASPA took too much power away from the states, and was subsequently struck down. Post-PASPA, all states were legally allowed to pursue and regulate sports betting as they saw fit.
New Jersey became the first new state to offer sports betting in decades, launching its industry in June 2018, just a month after PASPA was repealed. Now, sports betting has become more and more common throughout the U.S. with the number of legal states growing with each legislative session.
Is online sports betting legal?
Yes it is, but not everywhere. Since PASPA was overturned in 2018 all U.S. states have been able to pursue and legislate sports betting. Since then a growing number of states have established safe, regulated sports betting markets.
What states offer legal online sports betting?
Online sports betting is legal in select states like Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, and more. The list of states that have legal online sports betting is constantly growing!
Is there an age limit for sports betting in the United States?
Yes there is. Generally speaking its 21 and up, but the states are allowed to specify this. For example, New Hampshire elected to set their legal betting age at just 18.
Do legal online sportsbooks have to have my Social Security Number?
Legally, they do. Online sportsbooks and casinos will use the last 4 digits of your SSN to confirm your identity. It’s used to verify that all of the information you’ve provided is accurate.
Is it legal to bet on sites like Bovada or BetOnline?
Unfortunately not. These sites are not licensed sports betting operators in the U.S.
What are my options if sports betting is not yet legal in my state?
We have the perfect option for you, it’s a DFS prop betting platform called Monkey Knife Fight. Click the link to our page to learn more about how you can get a $50 bonus!
Iowa sports betting is still relatively new, but Iowa bettors continue to set records, making it quite successful within the Midwest betting market.
Through 2021 and beyond, Iowa sports bettors can join any legally-licensed online sportsbook from home. With no need to register in-person, you have full access to all the promotions without traveling. And you can easily compare the ten available apps to find the best odds before placing a bet.
Visit: William Hill Iowa and Claim a $500 Risk Free Bet
William Hill is one of the olds sports betting companies in the world, with an international footprint. It is also quickly expanding across the US. Part of this expansion involved the launch of William Hill Iowa in 2019. William Hill was the first online sportsbook to launch in Iowa.
William Hill brings its international expertise to its sportsbook app. It has one of the strongest apps on the market when it comes to stability and ease of use. It’s simple to sign, up, deposit, and get betting. William Hill also excels in its regular promotions and live betting options.
Visit: BetMGM Iowa and get up to $600 Risk Free Bet Bonus
BetMGM is also expanding rapidly across the US, launching sportsbook apps and its online casinos in several states. It’s one of the most popular gambling apps in the country, in part because it is backed by the MGM brand name.
The BetMGM Sportsbook iOS app also has a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating on the App Store, which is tied with DraftKings for the best score of any sports betting app.
BetMGM Iowa also offers great odds compared to the rest of the market, and they consistently boast the best win potential for futures betting.
Visit: FanDuel Iowa and Claim a $1,000 Risk Free Bet
FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa has a relatively unexciting welcome bonus. While a risk-free bet up to $1,000 is a good way to acquaint yourself with this high-quality platform, the same or similar is offered by others.
However, FanDuel Iowa offers a remarkable number of promotions on a daily basis that goes far beyond the welcome offer. These are some of the most inventive and enticing offers in sports betting, including odds boosters, cashback offers, free tournaments, and countless more.
That’s on top of some of the best odds in Iowa, consistently beating out its biggest competitors like DraftKings and BetMGM.
Visit: DraftKings Iowa and get up to $1,000 Deposit Match Bonus
DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa is one of the best options for sports bettors in the state. Few other brands can compete with the sheer number of lines offered here on a daily basis, and the odds are some of the most competitive on the planet.
Alongside FanDuel and BetMGM, DraftKings makes the Iowa sports betting market one of the best in the US.
New members at DraftKings Iowa can receive a 20% welcome bonus up to $1,000. If you opt in, you’ll receive $1 in bonus cash for every $5 in real-money bets placed. You must deposit $5,000 to receive the maximum, but a deposit of just $5 qualifies for the promotion.
Visit: PointsBet Iowa and get $2,000 in Risk-Free Bets
PointsBet is a new sports betting brand in the US, but it’s already becoming a highly regarded choice where it’s licensed. For sports bettors in Iowa, it’s one of the best choices for its great odds, including the “no juice” promo on select points spread events, such as the NFL playoffs.
PointsBet also offers PointsBetting, where you place an over/under totals bet, and the amount you win or lose is determined by the exact score. The more correct you were, the higher your win. The more incorrect, the higher your losses.
The PointsBet Iowa welcome bonus is a risk-free bet up to $500 on fixed-odds events, and a $1,500 risk-free bet on a PointsBetting wager. Make sure to use the code BIGBONUS.
BetRivers Sportsbook Iowa works great via desktop. However, it has the worst app in the state, so if you exclusively wager via mobile app, bet somewhere else.
But if you’re willing to play using your web browser, then you should join BetRivers Iowa for the welcome bonus alone. They offer new members a 100% deposit bonus up to $250. That essentially doubles your first deposit up to a total of $500.
The wagering requirement is also only 1x. That means you just need to bet the full amount a single time to withdraw any winnings. You can also use it for any combination of bets with odds of -200 or longer.
For a betting app in so many states across the US, you’d think they’d have a better app. But if it’s any consolation, BetRivers Indiana doesn’t even offer an iOS app at all.
Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Retail Partner(s) | Launch Date |
---|---|---|---|
William Hill | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Isle Bettendorf, Isle Waterloo, Lakeside, Prairie Meadows | Aug. 15, 2019 |
Elite Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $500 | Grand Falls, Rhythm City, Riverside | Aug. 27, 2019 |
Q Sportsbook | N/A | Q Casino | Nov. 12, 2019 |
PointsBet | Two risk-free bets up to $2,000 with code BIGBONUS | Catfish Bend | Nov. 26, 2019 |
Hard Rock Sportsbook | Risk-free bet up to $100 | Hard Rock Sioux City | Dec. 16, 2019 |
DraftKings | 20% deposit match up to $1,000 | Wild Rose | Feb. 19, 2020 |
FanDuel | Risk-free bet up to $1,000 | Diamond Jo Worth | Sept. 9, 2020 |
Betfred | 100% wager match up to $1,000 | Grand Falls | Sept. 11, 2020 |
BetRivers | 100% deposit match up to $250 | Wild Rose | Jan. 1, 2021 |
BetMGM | Risk Free Bet up to $600 | Diamond Jo Dubuque | Jan. 4, 2021 |
You can safely join and bet at any legally-licensed online sportsbook in the state. You can find a complete list of available sites and apps in the list table, including the welcome bonus offer for each option.
As of January 1, 2021, you can register at any of Iowa’s online sportsbooks from anywhere. That includes outside of the state, but you must be physically inside the State of Iowa to wager.
Registration is similar to opening a bank account in terms of the information you need to provide. This includes your name, DOB, address, and phone number as well as a unique password for your account.
You may need to provide a promo code during the signup process or while you make a deposit, so make sure you have SHARP copied for the BetMGM Iowa deposit bonus or BIGBONUS for the exclusive risk-free bet up to $1,500 from PointsBet Iowa.
In accordance with state law, Iowa sportsbooks cannot accept credit cards as a deposit method. That means a more limited number of options in the state, but most accept PayPal for deposits and withdrawals as well as online banking. BetRivers also accepts debit cards, while BetMGM does not accept PayPal or debit cards, making online bank transfer the best option.
Once you have money in your account, you can place any bet offered by the sportsbook. You can find a diverse selection of odds for the same event across the different sportsbooks, so it’s a good idea to compare beforehand.
IMPORTANT: Risk-free bets usually apply to the first wager only. It’s also important to read all terms and conditions before participating in any promotion.
Betting at illegal sportsbooks adds unnecessary risk to your personal information and finances. These sites routinely sell their users’ information, refuse to pay winnings, or disappear (with your money) altogether.
Thanks to oversight by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC), your personal information and finances are protected when you play at legally-licensed sportsbooks.
The Iowa.gov website also offers a great tax resource for bettors, including their policies on automatically withholding winnings of $600 or more (the same for a lottery win). All net winnings from gambling are subject to the 5% state income tax rate as well as the 24% federal income tax rate for a total of 29%.
In October 2020, the IRGC reported that Iowa sportsbooks handled a record-breaking $81.9 million in wagering. The month before, the previous record of $59.34 million placed in September 2019 was topped in September 2020, with $72.4 million in wagers placed at sportsbooks across the state.
Iowa’s sports wagering has continued to grow, with $100 million bet among a population of 3.2 million.
Iowa’s sports betting revenue is on par with Indiana and Illinois relative to its population. In October 2020, Illinois saw over $400 million wagered among a population of 12.7 million. In November 2020, Indiana saw over $250 million wagered among a population of 6.7 million.
Bottom line: the Midwest is becoming an online sports betting haven in its own right.
Compared to its Midwest neighbors Illinois and Indiana, Iowa offers a great sports betting market with a few shortcomings:
Indiana has the most liberal sports betting laws in the country, even more so than New Jersey or Nevada. For example, Indiana sportsbooks can offer prop bets on in-state college schools. It’s also one of only two states (along with New Jersey) that allows bets on the Oscars and other TV competitions.
However, Indiana expressly prohibits esports betting. Iowa does not, but it is not currently an approved category for betting in the state.
Illinois still technically requires in-person registration for online sportsbooks, but the Governor suspended that requirement via executive order going into 2021.
That means Iowa beats Illinois in two key categories: the ability to bet on in-state college schools, and the pure number of options. While Iowa sports bettors can join at least ten sports betting apps, Illinois only had five at the time of writing this guide.
In Illinois, you can’t bet on in-state college teams, but you can use a credit card to deposit at a sportsbook.
When the in-person registration requirement expired on January 1, 2021, The Des Moines Register quoted Johnny Avello, the director of sportsbook operations at DraftKings, as saying, “I’d actually call it a first launch, because this is the correct way to do it. This gets everybody who wants to be involved to be involved.”
While online sports betting officially launched in Iowa in August 2019, the in-person registration requirement made the state an unviable market for many operators. With that requirement gone and each land-based casino able to open three online sportsbooks each, the Iowa market can finally grow to its true potential.
In the last few months of 2020, sportsbooks handled over $80 million in wagers, and that’s only expected to increase throughout 2021 due to the more viable market.
It’s highly unlikely that Iowa will change the law and allow prop bets on in-state college sports or credit card deposits. And the in-person registration requirement is behind us.
However, Iowa could improve its online gambling position by allowing esports bets and TV competitions like the Academy Awards, which could attract bettors from Illinois and elsewhere where those wagers aren’t offered.
Less than one year after the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, Iowa was one of the first states with legal sports betting.
In April 2019, the Iowa Senate voted in favor of legalized sports betting by wide margins. Support also came from both sides of the aisle, with the majority of democrat and republican lawmakers agreeing to the legality.
Just a few days later, the bill passed the Iowa House, and it received Governor Kim Reynolds’s signature on May 13, 2019. It was officially legal to bet on sports in Iowa.
However, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) had to formulate all the rules and regulations, receive applications, and approve licenses. In other states, such as Michigan, that process took a year or more.
Amazingly, the IRGC had everything in place in time for William Hill to launch on August 15, 2019, the state’s first legal online sportsbook.
That means sports betting went from passing the Iowa Senate to a legal online sportsbook in about four months.
The biggest downside was the requirement to register at online sportsbooks in-person at their partnering land-based casino. Thankfully, that requirement sunset on January 1, 2021.
Iowa does not have any major league sports teams. But betting on major league sports—particularly on teams located in nearby states—is highly popular in Iowa, particularly betting on the Super Bowl.
It’s safe to say that these are the four most popular NFL teams in Iowa:
All four of these teams inspire tons of wagers from Iowans, and the variety of fans makes for an interesting layout of odds, which are dramatically affected by how many bets are placed.
In 2019, SeatGeek released a map that showed the most popular sports teams by county in Iowa. The calculations were based on ticket sales, so they don’t perfectly represent the state’s fandom. But it’s a good indicator nonetheless.
The most popular team was the Kansas City Royals, followed by the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.
Iowa sportsbooks will have plenty of action, including tons of prop bets, on every MLB game, especially the ones that feature these teams.
Outside of NCAAB D1’s March Madness tournament, basketball doesn’t inspire as many bets as football or baseball. However, it remains the third most popular sport in the country, and Iowa’s favorite teams include:
Iowa boasts four college teams that play at the D1 level in football and basketball, the two most popular college sports by far.
However, you can only bet moneyline, points spread, or totals for in-state college sports. Prop bets are only allowed for out-of-state college teams and professional sports.
The University of Iowa has the most successful D1 athletic program in the state, and they’re often one of the better teams in the country.
In basketball, the Hawkeyes appeared in the NCAA Tournament 26 times, and they made it to the Final Four for the third time in 1980.
In football, the Hawkeyes consistently rank in the AP Top 25, and they sat at number 17 at the time of writing this guide.
Iowa State football currently sits at number 12 of the AP Top 25 College Football Teams. But even if they dropped since then, they’re almost always a team strong enough to beat any other D1 program. The Cyclones can also hoop it with the best of them, boasting 20 NCAA Tournament appearances, and making it to the Sweet 16 twice within the past decade.
While the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones reign supreme for most popular college teams, the Northern Iowa Panthers basketball program has been making a name for itself at the national level. Seven of eight total March Madness appearances have occurred since 2000, and they made it to the Sweet 16 in 2010.
Drake Bulldogs basketball team has only made it to the NCAA Tournament four times (most recently in 2008). But they’re a strong member of the Missouri Valley Conference, making for some exciting betting action, particularly for points spreads.
Iowa allows sportsbooks to list a range of sports. You can find bets on auto racing, golf, European soccer, Rugby, and beyond. In fact, you could attend a NASCAR race at Iowa Speedway while betting on the event with your mobile device.
However, some sportsbooks offer more sports than others. For example, BetMGM Iowa offers cycling and table tennis. William Hill Iowa does not.
If you’re betting on sports beyond popular college teams or major leagues in the US and Europe, make sure to explore the options before joining a sportsbook. You don’t want to be an MMA-specific bettor only to find out the sportsbook doesn’t offer lines on the fights.
Also, sportsbooks will take bet requests. If you don’t see something listed at your app of choice, consider reaching out to see if they’ll offer the bet. At worst, it might put it on their radar to add in the future.
21. You must be at least 21 years old to bet at an online sportsbook in Iowa. The gambling age for all casinos and sportsbooks in Iowa is 21 except for at Meskwaki Casino in Tama, where the gambling age is 18. However, they do not offer a sportsbook.
It is legal to bet on college sports in Iowa. However, you cannot place prop bets on in-state college teams. All other forms of betting on in-state schools are allowed, including moneyline, points spread, parlays, futures, and totals. You can also place prop bets on out-of-state college teams.
Yes. Online sports betting in Iowa is safe as long as you join legally-licensed online sportsbooks. You can find links to all Iowa sports betting apps and sites at Gaming Today as well as exclusive welcome bonuses and detailed reviews. You can also verify legal sportsbooks on the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission website.
Yes. Most sportsbooks in Iowa offer an iOS app. However, some are better than others. DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and PointsBet offer the best iOS apps in Iowa according to their App Store ratings. The odds at the specific sportsbook are the same whether you use the iOS app, Android app, or desktop version.
Yes. DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa launched on February 19, 2020. This is a top-rated sportsbook app with competitive odds, daily promotions, and convenient banking methods, including PayPal. New members at DraftKings Sportsbook Iowa can receive a 20% first-deposit match up to $1,000. If you opt in, they’ll match every $5 wagered with $1 in bonus cash.
Yes. FanDuel Sportsbook Iowa is available for remote registration, which means you can join and wager from anywhere within state lines. This is among the best online sportsbooks in Iowa in terms of odds, promotions, banking options, and app quality. Right now, FanDuel Iowa offers new members a risk-free bet up to $1,000.